Our Gang (novel)

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Our Gang

First edition
Author	Philip Roth
Language	English
Publisher	Random House
Publication date	1971
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (hardcover)
Pages	200
ISBN	978-0394478869
OCLC	190674
Preceded by	Portnoy's Complaint
Followed by	The Great American Novel

Our Gang (1971) is Philip Roth's fifth novel. A marked departure from his previous book, the popular Portnoy's Complaint, Our Gang is a political satire written in the form of a closet drama. Centered on the character of "Trick E. Dixon", a caricature of then-President Richard Nixon, the book takes its cue from an actual quote from Nixon:

From personal and religious beliefs I consider abortions an unacceptable form of population control. Furthermore, unrestricted abortion policies, or abortion on-demand, I cannot square with my personal belief in the sanctity of human life—including the life of the yet unborn. For, surely, the unborn have rights also, recognized in law, recognized even in principles expounded by the United Nations.

Roth was inspired to write Our Gang by Nixon making this statement on the same week he ordered William Calley's release from prison to house arrest.^[1] As the book is written entirely as dialogue, Roth uses stage directions, such as "impish endearing smile", when Dixon is talking.