by Philip Roth
First published 1998
After serving in WWII, Newark roughneck and idealistic Communist Iron Rinn becomes a popular radio performer. But when his past comes to light, he's blacklisted and loses everything. As the story of his denunciation and disgrace unfolds, we witness the cruelty, humiliation, and revenge that tear his life apart. At its heart, this is a tragic American tale of a man who believed he could change the world, only to have it turn on him.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-commentary, tragedy
Setting: United States, Newark
Period: 1953-1961
352 pages · Paperback · Vintage Classics