American Pastoral

by Philip Roth

What makes a terrorist? Political chaos? The turmoil of the ‘60s? Living with an affliction? The pendulum of time? Karma? One inappropriate kiss?

Seymour Levov lived the American dream. He was the all-around athlete and good guy in high school who later married Miss New Jersey. Together they lived an idyllic life in the country and raised one child, a daughter Merry, providing her with everything and anything, pampering her, showering her with love. Yet Merry’s teen years were turbulent ones as she rebelled against conformity, materialism, the war in Vietnam, her parents, and life.

One day, Merry, at age 17, bombed the post office. A local doctor there to pay his bills died in the explosion. Merry went into hiding and her parents were left in shock and disbelief, with questions, lots of questions.