Michael Finocchiaro's review of Underworld (original) (raw)

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Michael Finocchiaro's Reviews > Underworld

Underworld
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I thoroughly enjoyed Underworld by DeLillo. I was a bit scared of it for years, but after having successfully tackled two other post-modern über-works Infinite Jest and Gravity's Rainbow, I decidedly it was time (admittedly, I have not been able to bring myself to attempt The Recognitions by Gaddis yet). I enjoyed the writing style and loved the story. The background of the postwar 50s and 60s was interesting and I loved the image of the open art exposition in the desert (no spoilers). It was my first book by DeLillo and after now having read 7 others (Players, Falling Man, Libra, White Noise, Mao II, and Zero K), I have to day it is my favorite so far (White Noise and Libra being runner's up and Zero K being my least favorite by far - Ratner's Star is on my shortlist before the end of the year and perhaps I'll try Great Jones Street as well). I thought that the sweeping prose style was more efficient and worked better in this particular story than in the other aforementioned DeLillos. In fact, Underworld may be the only one - besides White Noise- that I will return to in years to come. Honestly, I prefer Pynchon - particularly Mason&Dixon and Against the Day - to DeLillo but of his work, this one was for me the most fun.

Since originally writing this review, I have trudged through (and reviewed on GR) The Recognitions and have to say that I preferred Underworld, GR, AtD, M&D, and IJ. Of those four, it would be hard for me to pick a favorite. I think that DeLillo took less chances than Pynchon or DFW, but the narrative is still captivating and entertaining.

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Reading Progress

April 1, 2016 –Started Reading

April 10, 2016 –Finished Reading

July 19, 2016 – Shelved as:fiction

November 21, 2016 – Shelved as:novels

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