Underworld
Back of the Book
Don DeLillo's mesmerizing novel was a major bestseller when it was published in 1997 and was the most widely reviewed novel of the year. It opens with a legendary baseball game played between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants in 1951. The home run that won the game was called the Shot Heard Round the World, and was shadowed by the terrifying news that on the same day, Russia tested its first hydrogen bomb. Underworld then tells the story of Klara Sax and Nick Shay, and of a half century of American life during the Cold War and beyond.
Why You Should Read It
Spanning over 50 years and following the impact of the Cold War on the lives of countless people, DeLillo’s ambitious tour de force of a novel attempts to explicate and lift the thin veil off of what seems like fate, by narrowing in on the effects of massive historical events in the lives of the ordinary. History itself is a character, a thread that feels almost like a God entity, that connects and at times severs the chronology of events for normal people—DeLillo attempts to answer, ‘what does this mean for us?’. Underworld feels more crucial than ever now to experience as the pace at which we approach climate catastrophe increases and the end of something signals itself to us everyday. It is through taking a magnified look at the impact of history on individual lives that history becomes our business, rather than a timeline we can remain indifferent to should we choose.
Memorable Passage
I long for the days of disorder. I want them back, the days when I was alive on the earth, rippling in the quick of my skin, heedless and real. I was dumb-muscled and angry and real. This is what I long for, the breach of peace, the days of disarray when I walked real streets and did things slap-bang and felt angry and ready all the time, a danger to others and a distant mystery to myself.
About the Author
Don DeLillo, born on November 20, 1936, is a highly influential American novelist acclaimed for his explorations of contemporary culture, technology, and the human condition. With a career spanning several decades, DeLillo has crafted a body of work that reflects the complexity of modern society. His novels, including White Noise, Underworld, and Libra, showcase his mastery of language and his ability to dissect the anxieties and paradoxes of the contemporary world. DeLillo's writing delves into the intersection of politics, media, and individual lives, offering profound insights into the collective consciousness of the times. Known for his distinctive prose style and keen observations, DeLillo's work has earned him numerous awards, cementing his reputation as a literary giant. He is worth knowing for his contribution to postmodern literature, his prescient analysis of societal shifts, and his ability to provoke thought and reflection on the intricate tapestry of the modern world.
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