This book is set in an alternate time when Roosevelt loses out to Lindbergh in the 1940 election under the mantra of "Vote for Lindbergh or Vote for War". Lindbergh promptly forms an agreement with Hitler and the other axis powers, taking them out of the possibility of joining World War II, but sending shockwaves of concern through the American Jewish community. As anti-semitism becomes more and more prominent and violent in America, Philip Roth tells how his family copes in the struggle to live in an America rapidly becoming fascist.The premise was very interesting and also quite frightening. The idea of 'The Land of the Free' essentially allying itself with some of the worst fascist leaders of the 20th century and subsequently promoting and institutionalising anti-semitism makes for a thrilling and heart-wrenching read. Tragic and scary, Philip Roth writes eloquently and creates a historic chronology that is tangible and realistic; the perspective is masterful and fascinating. It deeply impressed me how Roth could twist world events and fashion a new timeline which could have happened just the same.
The only issue I really had with it was that the whole book was leading up to a climax that wasn't really that shocking. I was expecting something like the Holocaust to begin occurring from the way it was all foreshadowed and mongered by the characters. Although I did like the ending, I felt like something was missing there. Nonetheless, I commend Philip Roth for this novel.
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