Our Book
In April, the MBC held an uneasy book discussion at Stan’s. The book was
Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America, written in 2004. It imagines an
alternate history in which famed aviator and German sympathizer Charles
Lindbergh runs for—and wins—the 1940 U.S. presidential election. Roth envisions
Lindbergh’s campaign built around the now all-too-familiar “America First”
mantra and a promise to keep the U.S. out of World War II. Once in office,
however, Lindbergh subtly pushes to integrate American Jews into the white
Protestant mainstream. His administration breaks up Jewish enclaves in Eastern
cities by relocating workers to rural towns and sending Jewish children to
Southern farm work programs.
The story follows a young Jewish boy—named Philip Roth—and his family
living in the Jewish section of Newark, New Jersey. The author’s choice to use
his own name as the protagonist hints strongly at autobiographical elements
drawn from his own early life in that same neighborhood.
Roth’s central theme—the danger of national isolationism—resonates
powerfully in today’s political climate, offering a chilling preview of what
many see reflected in Trump-era America.
Dinner at Stan's
Stan set the tone for the evening with a round of Manhattans at the bar,
followed by a full Jewish deli spread: bagels with all the fixings, rye bread,
challah, brisket, and an array of rugelach.
Our Discussion
Each member began discussing the book, but conversation always circled
back to today’s reality. As host, Stan opened by admitting the story hit too
close to home. He struggled to enjoy the book, finding it difficult to separate
fiction from the disturbing possibility of an authoritarian America.
Jack appreciated the character development but criticized the plot’s flow, finding it disjointed. He drew parallels between the novel’s use of “The Big Lie” and the same tactic seen during the Trump administration. Paul felt the narrative dragged in the middle and lost direction toward the end. He observed how, like in real life, the ends often justify the means. Andrew enjoyed most of the book, but found the ending too convenient, relying on the artifice of Lindberg's sudden disappearance and a snap national election to return the story to the actual events of 1944.
Several members shared personal reflections. Dean described how his
daughter, living in Alaska, witnessed firsthand the balancing act Senator Lisa
Murkowski performs—caught between Alaska’s dependence on federal aid and the
state’s strong support for Trump. Glen shared the most powerful story of the
night: his Jewish Russian grandfather deserted the Russian army in World War
II, knowing Jews were being used as cannon fodder. His escape from Russia was
harrowing and deeply moving.
We all agreed on the strength of the novel’s female characters—especially
Philip’s mother, who calmly steers her family through chaos. Clearly, she was
inspired by Roth’s own mother.
Our Book Rating
Ratings ranged from 6 to 9, with most in the 7–8 range. Several noted
they would have scored the book lower on literary merit alone, but Roth’s
eerily accurate depiction of a demagogue rising to power warranted a bonus
point.
And as a final, lighthearted note, members recalled that MBC’s very first
book back in 2008 was also by Philip Roth—The Human Stain. What a long,
strange trip it’s been.
