Underworld

A swooping, epic titan of a novel, Underworld displays the best of DeLillo's uniquely evocative, impressionistic prose. His blackly humorous melancholia perfectly suits the Cold War tale(s) he weaves, with recurring images - garbage as the gargantuan flipside of consumerism, the quotidian, and the bomb - rather than simple narrative providing its momentum. It's no light reading, but still...more

A swooping, epic titan of a novel, Underworld displays the best of DeLillo's uniquely evocative, impressionistic prose. His blackly humorous melancholia perfectly suits the Cold War tale(s) he weaves, with recurring images - garbage as the gargantuan flipside of consumerism, the quotidian, and the bomb - rather than simple narrative providing its momentum. It's no light reading, but still thoroughly enjoyable for its prose poetry.   hide

DeLillo's finest, and a work that reinforces the beauty of language. Regardless the subject at hand (and there are many in this novel), DeLillo's prosaic declarations are breathtaking.

My favorite novel of all time. Starts with baseball, includes history, brilliant writing. There's nothing not to love about Underworld.

This is the most overrated book I have ever read...and I read the Poisonwood Bible.

Although I liked the way this epic saga of multiple charcters spanning half a century came together in the end, I didn't enjoy reading it. I found it tedious, not only because of its length, but mostly because there were too many characters and the narrative kept switching viewpoints. I didn't like the way women were portrayed and I didn't like the implication that as long as...more

Although I liked the way this epic saga of multiple charcters spanning half a century came together in the end, I didn't enjoy reading it. I found it tedious, not only because of its length, but mostly because there were too many characters and the narrative kept switching viewpoints. I didn't like the way women were portrayed and I didn't like the implication that as long as capitalism prevails, all will be right in the world. Also, I truly believe that if DeLillo was Muslim, he would have been arrested after 9/11 due his evocation of the symbolism of the World Trade Centre, and quotes on the similarity between novelists and terrorist. Plus I felt that this book is highly overrated and did not live up to the hype surrounding it.   hide

One of the best books I've ever read. Perhaps a bit long.

One of my favorite books ever. An incredibly ambitious work. DeLillo's first chapter, set at the famous "shot heard 'round the world" game at the Polo Grounds in New York, is a tour de force that sets up a vast, muscular discussion of fraternal relations, myth-making and self-invention, self-discipline, contemporary art, waste and consumerism, and violence that had me reeling. Only...more

One of my favorite books ever. An incredibly ambitious work. DeLillo's first chapter, set at the famous "shot heard 'round the world" game at the Polo Grounds in New York, is a tour de force that sets up a vast, muscular discussion of fraternal relations, myth-making and self-invention, self-discipline, contemporary art, waste and consumerism, and violence that had me reeling. Only after I finished the book did I realize what a profound effect it had on me; on morning runs and in quiet moments on the train it kept coming back to me. A masterwork.   hide

There are some novels you read just for fun, and then there are novels you read because you want to show everyone just how much of an erudite hipster you can be. And then there are novels like this one--complex, gripping, and extremely well written. It's a novel that challenges you to understand its themes and rewards you with unforgettable, first-rate passages. Every page has at least one great...more

There are some novels you read just for fun, and then there are novels you read because you want to show everyone just how much of an erudite hipster you can be. And then there are novels like this one--complex, gripping, and extremely well written. It's a novel that challenges you to understand its themes and rewards you with unforgettable, first-rate passages. Every page has at least one great image or turn of phrase. One of the best books I've ever read.   hide

This book is so engaging I've read it twice. I describe it as a history of the United States from 1950 to present. Beautiful, crystal-clear language, so much so that sentences stick out in my mind, ("you have to cut the bread thick"; when you see something beautiful, don't linger, but "love it, trust it, and leave."). DeLillo's finest.This book is so engaging I've read it twice. I describe...more

This book is so engaging I've read it twice. I describe it as a history of the United States from 1950 to present. Beautiful, crystal-clear language, so much so that sentences stick out in my mind, ("you have to cut the bread thick"; when you see something beautiful, don't linger, but "love it, trust it, and leave."). DeLillo's finest.This book is so engaging I've read it twice. I describe it as a history of the United States from 1950 to present. Beautiful, crystal-clear language, so much so that sentences stick out in my mind, ("you have to cut the bread thick"; when you see something beautiful, don't linger, but "love it, trust it, and leave.").DeLillo's finest.   hide