Don Delillo
 

okay, I'm a voracious reader but I have not yet read any of Delillo's work...please tell me:

1) overrated?
2) brilliant?
3) which book should I start with?

Re: Don Delillo
 

white noise and underworld are the big two

white noise is considerably shorter, so maybe better to start with

Re: Don Delillo
 

i'd say somewhere between 1 and 2

Re: Don Delillo
 

Listen to econ_tim. I think Libra and Running Dog are very good as well. The intro to Underworld, which has since been republished as "Pafko at the Wall" is one of the best things I've read.

I don't know how to explain this except that I think that people who don't like jazz don't like Delillo.

Re: Don Delillo
 

White Noise was my favorite of his. Mao II isn't bad. Underwolrd I liked, but it's very long and several friends found it too slow.

I'd start with White Noise for sure.

Re: Don Delillo
 

I've read Ratner's Star and White Noise. I wasn't particularly impressed with either. DeLillo does seem technically skilled, and occasionally funny, but there's something about his work that I seem to have a hard time getting behind. I might still try Underworld at some point, but I kinda doubt it.

Re: Don Delillo
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know how to explain this except that I think that people who don't like jazz don't like Delillo.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like jazz and wasn't a big fan of white noise, but enough people I respect loved Underworld that I'm willing to give him another shot.

Re: Don Delillo
 

I read White Noise 15 or so years ago. A friend whose opinion I trusted recommended it highly. I didn't much care for it, struggling to get through it. I didn't try any others.

Re: Don Delillo
 

There was a period in my life when I thought I had a duty to read "important" literature and when I relied on other people (I would have denied this vehemently of course) to tell me what literature was important. It was around then that I read a few Don DeLillo novels.

Let's just say I'm happy that period of life is behind me.

Re: Don Delillo
 

I read white noise a couple of months ago and was very happy with it.

Re: Don Delillo
 

All I've read is Underworld and I liked it. It's ambitious without being overbearing.

Re: Don Delillo
 

White Noise.

Re: Don Delillo
 

I have read a bunch of DeLillo and here is my 2 cents.

try one of his shorter works first just to get a taste.

like the body artist (you can read it in one sitting) or even cosmopolis.

then even if you don't like him that much read white noise and the names.

if you do like him carry on to underworld and mao II and any of his other works.

from your posts i think you will like him and should read him.

let me know if anything else comes up. i have never understood why people don't like him or his books, maybe the jazz connection is correct.

enjoy Dom.

cheer. J.

Re: Don Delillo
 

Brilliant. Start with White Noise.