Aging Masculinity in the American Novel

As each generation confronts aging and responds to its challenges, the literary community—ranging from Philip Roth to Jonathan Franzen—has provided nuanced and thoughtful depictions that transcend stereotypes of old men as feeble and broken individuals. Under the sage guidance of these authors—many facing old age themselves—older male characters have become increasingly prevalent in literary fiction.

In Aging Masculinity in the American Novel, Alex Hobbs turns the spotlight on matters relate...