An American dream is a novel written by Norman Mailer. The book is written in central first person, the narrator being the main character: Stephen Rojack. Stephen Rojack is both the protagonist and antagonist in the book as a result of his choices and how he is perceived through the book. He seems crazy and irrational, as we are placed inside his head where different scenarios, themes, metaphors and similes are played before the true action happens, blending in with the fictional ones.
Rationalism and empiricism, as well as crime and thriller are the center words that could describe the genre of the book. Even though Rojack's actions are fueled by either rage, lust, or hate in his different sexual relationships, romance does not make it on the genre list, as Rojack's personality cuts it out. Lust itself could be a genre, though there is certainly no romance in the book which is replaced by the slowly growing insanity of Rojack.
The book itself is written through the eyes of Rojack, thus through the eyes of insanity. Therefore, there are moments where it is hard to distinguish between reality and thoughts, as they are muddled and mixed together in a concoction of similes, metaphors, and feelings. Rojack's thoughts and feelings are irrational and unexplainable to some, and it owns a big part of the book.
