Pozorski , Aimee: Roth and Trauma

Presents a close reading of Philip Roth's later works from the perspective of trauma theory in order to emphasize Roth's interest in contemporary global trauma. This title moves beyond a critical reception of Philip Roth's recent fiction that has focused primarily on an interest in post WWII America."In a superb reappraisal of Philip Roth's later works, Aimee Pozorski argues in Roth and Trauma that, since 1995, the novels have conveyed a deeply historical view of the United States. Roth and Trauma sweeps away narrow readings focused on Roth as a Jew, as a self-contemplating postmodernist, and as an American preoccupied solely with the anxieties of the late twentieth century.  Through lively, astute close readings of Roth's novels, and informed by the insights of trauma theory, Pozorski uncovers compelling evidence that Roth's preoccupation with the unforeseen in the later fiction bears witness to how past American traumas live into the present. Roth's representations of traumatic American history, Pozorski finds, are rooted in the founding of the nation and the ongoing failure of America to fulfill ideals of freedom and democracy.  This passionate book will fundamentally change the way general readers and scholars think about Roth as an American writer." -- Debra Shostak, Professor of English, The College of Wooster, USA