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gingerliss 's review for:
Underworld
by Don DeLillo
24th January 2018
I am back, and it is time for this review.
I was pretty nervous about starting this book, as it has a reputation. As soon as I did start this reputation became even more clear to me. As soon as I'd added it to 'currently reading' on Goodreads I received a comment on Facebook wishing me good luck as they had given up after about 400 pages.
So a bit more worried, I became.
Then there were also a few moments where I had the book with me, and people saw it and said things like they'd tried it but didn't get very far and again wishing me good luck. This happened more than once! And that's not to mention the negative goodreads reviews...
So a bit more worried I became.
But then the further I got, the more I was wondering when I was going to hit the really hard part. And that wondering never stopped...
As I actually started the book, I became unsure why it has such a reputation. Because I have to say I was pulled in straight away. That first chapter (which was originally published as a stand alone thing, in a magazine I believe...) was, for me, a masterpiece in itself, but also a great introduction to what this book had in store for me. Now, I do have to say, I am a complete sucker for 'stream of conciousness.' This book is full of the stuff! But not only from one perspective, Delillo can skip from one person to the other every few sentences, at times, other times every paragraph, and other times every chapter. This story is told from the perspective of so many people! To me this was absolutely amazing. I loved it! It just gives that feeling, that I have a lot, of each and every person, people you know, but also strangers, every single one of us has his own life, story, narrative... Whatever you want to call it. This book reflected that exact feeling perfectly. I am pretty sure there is a word for the feeling but I have, unfortunately, forgotten it.
Now, I will say this, if you dislike stream of conciousness, which I know there are a lot of people who do. Stay away. Don't bother.
Also, if you dislike a narrative being told from many points of views, this switching randomly sometimes from moment to moment. Stay away.
This is personal preference so I'm just saying, don't bother if you don't like these things. Because I believe you then, indeed, will not enjoy this book.
If you do, however, enjoy these things. Then I will ask you one thing: PLEASE READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
At points I felt like I was holding the whole of the last century and the whole of humanity in my hands. I felt completely immersed in the story and love the way all the characters, even the really random ones, somehow connect. It's a puzzle at times but I like it when a book makes me work. I enjoy Delillo's themes and ideas which are woven throughout. I am not a sports fan and am not hugely interested in baseball, and if people have told you not to read the book because it's about baseball, this is not true, do not listen to them. This book is not about baseball. It is about humans, it is about society, it is about consumerism, it is about living, it is about garbage and atomic bombs, it is about race and racism, it is about the rich and the poor, it is about religion and pop culture, it is about murder and crime, it is about politics, and it is about art. It covers pretty much everything. There is so much in this book. It asks a lot of questions. It takes different stances in the form of different characters. Weighs them up against each other.
When I'd finished I wanted to start all over again because I am pretty sure I will find even more in this book on my second read.
This is, for me, quite honestly, a masterpiece! And Don Delillo, is a master and a genius.
Like I did with McCarthy, very soon, I am going to read all of Delillo's books one after the other. First I must get my hands on them.
This book has hereby landed in my top five books ever and Don Delillo has hereby become my other favourite writer alongside Mr. McCarthy.
Oh, just one more thing, I would recommend starting perhaps with Libra by Mr Delillo as I found there to be some connections and I'm glad I had read Libra already. Also Libra is shorter and gives you a taste of Delillo's style. So then you can choose, if you didn't like Libra, then Underworld probably isn't for you either.
For me though, I will leave you with one more thought, and that is just: WOW! I cannot stop thinking about this book and I really really miss it, and it's only been two days!!!!
Earlier little splurge before real review:
22nd January 2018
I'm going to take a bit more time than usual to write this review, as I have a lot to say and I want to sit down properly and focus, rather than how I usually write my reviews (just splurging my thoughts after just finishing the book). For now all I will say: This is a masterpiece and it has shot right up my list and is at the top there with all my favourite books.
Stay tuned for the real deal....
I am back, and it is time for this review.
I was pretty nervous about starting this book, as it has a reputation. As soon as I did start this reputation became even more clear to me. As soon as I'd added it to 'currently reading' on Goodreads I received a comment on Facebook wishing me good luck as they had given up after about 400 pages.
So a bit more worried, I became.
Then there were also a few moments where I had the book with me, and people saw it and said things like they'd tried it but didn't get very far and again wishing me good luck. This happened more than once! And that's not to mention the negative goodreads reviews...
So a bit more worried I became.
But then the further I got, the more I was wondering when I was going to hit the really hard part. And that wondering never stopped...
As I actually started the book, I became unsure why it has such a reputation. Because I have to say I was pulled in straight away. That first chapter (which was originally published as a stand alone thing, in a magazine I believe...) was, for me, a masterpiece in itself, but also a great introduction to what this book had in store for me. Now, I do have to say, I am a complete sucker for 'stream of conciousness.' This book is full of the stuff! But not only from one perspective, Delillo can skip from one person to the other every few sentences, at times, other times every paragraph, and other times every chapter. This story is told from the perspective of so many people! To me this was absolutely amazing. I loved it! It just gives that feeling, that I have a lot, of each and every person, people you know, but also strangers, every single one of us has his own life, story, narrative... Whatever you want to call it. This book reflected that exact feeling perfectly. I am pretty sure there is a word for the feeling but I have, unfortunately, forgotten it.
Now, I will say this, if you dislike stream of conciousness, which I know there are a lot of people who do. Stay away. Don't bother.
Also, if you dislike a narrative being told from many points of views, this switching randomly sometimes from moment to moment. Stay away.
This is personal preference so I'm just saying, don't bother if you don't like these things. Because I believe you then, indeed, will not enjoy this book.
If you do, however, enjoy these things. Then I will ask you one thing: PLEASE READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
At points I felt like I was holding the whole of the last century and the whole of humanity in my hands. I felt completely immersed in the story and love the way all the characters, even the really random ones, somehow connect. It's a puzzle at times but I like it when a book makes me work. I enjoy Delillo's themes and ideas which are woven throughout. I am not a sports fan and am not hugely interested in baseball, and if people have told you not to read the book because it's about baseball, this is not true, do not listen to them. This book is not about baseball. It is about humans, it is about society, it is about consumerism, it is about living, it is about garbage and atomic bombs, it is about race and racism, it is about the rich and the poor, it is about religion and pop culture, it is about murder and crime, it is about politics, and it is about art. It covers pretty much everything. There is so much in this book. It asks a lot of questions. It takes different stances in the form of different characters. Weighs them up against each other.
When I'd finished I wanted to start all over again because I am pretty sure I will find even more in this book on my second read.
This is, for me, quite honestly, a masterpiece! And Don Delillo, is a master and a genius.
Like I did with McCarthy, very soon, I am going to read all of Delillo's books one after the other. First I must get my hands on them.
This book has hereby landed in my top five books ever and Don Delillo has hereby become my other favourite writer alongside Mr. McCarthy.
Oh, just one more thing, I would recommend starting perhaps with Libra by Mr Delillo as I found there to be some connections and I'm glad I had read Libra already. Also Libra is shorter and gives you a taste of Delillo's style. So then you can choose, if you didn't like Libra, then Underworld probably isn't for you either.
For me though, I will leave you with one more thought, and that is just: WOW! I cannot stop thinking about this book and I really really miss it, and it's only been two days!!!!
Earlier little splurge before real review:
22nd January 2018
I'm going to take a bit more time than usual to write this review, as I have a lot to say and I want to sit down properly and focus, rather than how I usually write my reviews (just splurging my thoughts after just finishing the book). For now all I will say: This is a masterpiece and it has shot right up my list and is at the top there with all my favourite books.
Stay tuned for the real deal....