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Literary Fiction· United States

American Pastoral

by Philip Roth
Aggregate Editorial Score65/100
★Pulitzer Prize
Published 1998432 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that American Pastoral (1998) by Philip Roth continues to receive. The 'Swede,' a beloved Newark athletic hero, sees his idyllic American life shattered when his daughter becomes a radical bomber during the Vietnam War era. Roth's Pulitzer winner is a devastating meditation on the American Dream, the 1960s, and the impossibility of insulating a life from history. Themes of American Dream, 1960s, family run through the work. The book has received recognition from Pulitzer Prize 1998.

Book Details

AuthorPhilip Roth
Published1998
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages432
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780375701429
Editorial Score65/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Philip Roth published American Pastoral in 1998, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of American Dream, 1960s, family, disillusionment accounts for much of its enduring reputation. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Pulitzer Prize 1998. Its aggregate editorial score of 65/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of American Pastoral lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of American Dream, 1960s, family, disillusionment is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Philip Roth's role in the literature of United States is well established. American Pastoral can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Pulitzer Prize
winner · national
199858
✍️
About the Author
Philip Roth
United States
View Author →

Philip Roth is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is American Pastoral about?

The 'Swede,' a beloved Newark athletic hero, sees his idyllic American life shattered when his daughter becomes a radical bomber during the Vietnam War era. Roth's Pulitzer winner is a devastating meditation on the American Dream, the 1960s, and the impossibility of insulating a life from history.

Who wrote American Pastoral?

American Pastoral was written by Philip Roth, from United States. First published in 1998.

What awards has American Pastoral won?

American Pastoral has received the following awards and honours: Pulitzer Prize 1998.

Is American Pastoral worth reading?

American Pastoral is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 58/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in American Dream, 1960s, family.

Where can I buy American Pastoral?

You can buy American Pastoral on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is American Pastoral?

American Pastoral is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is American Pastoral from?

American Pastoral originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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