I admit Philip Roth's work, but wasn't familiar with this novel. We came across the series by accident. My husband is a Jewish immigrant who moved here at age 13. I was born in the New York area and was raised in a liberal Christian household, with many Jewish friends. We raised our children Jewish but they had a lot of exposure to their Christian family, too. Anyway, I found the story tense and terrifying, for the most part. It absolutely rings true, particularly in terms of the various extended family members trying to find their places, and take their stances, as Jews in America. The acting is terrific. However, I think Jon Turturro's character was a bit overplayed. Sure, there are Southern Jews, but his drawl was over-the-top and very stylized. If that was the intent, ok, but it didn't quite work for me. I lo e seeing Winona Ryder back on my screen and she does good work here, but am I really meant to believe she is the YOUNGER sister of Zoe Kazan (also excellent)? Ryder is beautiful and looks great but that didn't work. The young actors are good, though I have seen better. Game of Thrones, with a couple of exceptions, set a high standard for child actors. I thought the actor playing Herman Roth (Morgan Spector?) was GREAT. The young actor playing Alvin, the tough-minded cousin/nephew, was the standout for me. His journey was inspiring, rough, difficult but also realistic and I found myself sympathizing with him even when I wasn't meant to, I think. His character rang true. I do wish they hadn't changed the end of the series from the end of the novel, which they kind of did. I understand why, but it didn't seem necessary.
Review of The Plot Against America
