There is more to life than politics

There is more to life than politics, argues Jonathan Lethem in his novel Dissident Gardens. While politics may be an important part of life, it cannot be the whole of one’s life. If it is, it pushes away love, family, romance, friendship, other interests, and more. In the novel, it is Rose who struggles to live beyond the confines and scope of Communism –and she ends up alone as a result.

Rose has been a committed Communist for most of her life. Her entire life has revolved around Communism and paving the way for the Revolution in New York. Everything else in Rose’s life, including family, comes second. Rose has delusions of grandeur about being at the forefront of the Revolution. She is saddened when Albert leaves to serve the Communists in East Germany, but does not allow...