A Book of American Martyrs Summary
Joyce Carol Oates

A Book of American Martyrs Overview

Joyce Carol Oates’ 2017 novel A Book of American Martyrs explores two families thrust into the American political divide over abortion. Set in the American heartland of Ohio, Oates’ novel opens as Luther Dunphy, a pro-life zealot, assassinates Dr. Gus Voorhees, a local abortion provider. The novel then follows the aftermath and ripple effects on each of their wives, children, and communities. This novel takes the political topic of abortion from the national to the local stage, with these two families at the center. This intimate and sometimes graphic novel explores the themes of misogyny, hypocrisy, and exceptionalism.