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Author | Philip Roth |
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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.