Statlander

The central thesis of this book is that Philip Roth's work is most accurately viewed as postmodernist American Historical Romance, rather than marginalized as Jewish-American. Four works are analyzed in relation to this thesis and to the specific idea that Roth's contribution is entirely within mainstream American literature and culture. Emphasizing the importance and influence of Hebrew Scripture, the author demonstrates that, paradoxically, Roth's Jewishness locates him squarely within the canon of (a Hebraic) America and its letters.

Jane Statlander received her PhD in American literature and culture from the University of New England in New South Wales, Australia. She is currently Professor of English at Miami International University of Art and Design.