A review by michaelcoleallen
White Noise by Don DeLillo

dark funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A masterclass in satire. There’s not much that hasn’t already been praised about this novel, but something I focused in on was the kind of Baader-Meinhoff phenomenon present throughout. Once a topic like the German language, Elvis, or (especially) death come into conversation, the frequency that these topics are noticed in the “white noise” (tv, radio, tabloids) increase.

What a great ending, too.
Jack essentially confronts the “white noise” with Mink, who spouts quotes from TV and shovels in numbing medication. Yet the shooting is no longer pleasurable when Mink shows some humanity. It’s worth some pondering on why Jack still decides the gun belongs in the hands of this manifestation of media/easy living. Hmmmm.

 
A must-read.
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