Last year and the year before, I read a fair amount of Don DeLillo with a bitter taste in my mouth, as "The Silence" and "Zero K" unfortunately disappointed me, despite having a generally very good image of the author ever since I read the excellent "White Noise" many decades ago (I must read that one again!). However, I said, well, let me pick up some of his really good works, and so I decided to read "Libra", which had been patiently waiting for me for so many years. Well, this one really excited me. Generally, I expected to like it because of the subject matter, as anything related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the conspiracy theories surrounding it is something that will always intrigue me, but this one really blew me away. DeLillo managed to captivate me from the very first page right down to the last, thanks to the torrential narrative, the captivating atmosphere, and the many powerful images he created with his descriptions. Although I must say that as a read, it's not the easiest or, to be more accurate, the most relaxing one out there. It definitely requires a certain dedication, a certain patience. It's a book that demands its time and requires the appropriate attention from the reader. Personally, I read it under the best reading conditions, and it so happened that I started it on the 58th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination and finished it on the anniversary of Lee Harvey Oswald's assassination (I finished it yesterday, and today I found the time to write this review). The writing is the book's strongest point, as powerful, dense, and captivating as it is. On the other hand, the characters aren't that rigid - the truth is - although the author gives a significant amount of weight to the character of Lee Harvey Oswald, perhaps trying to understand him, to figure him out. Personally, the author's perspective on the people and the events that led to Kennedy's assassination seemed very interesting and convincing to me. Generally, I highly appreciated the book, although I must say that it's not for everyone's taste or every appetite.

Three or four - that's the main question of the novel.

If it's three, then it's not very interesting, just Lee Harvey Oswald and that's it.

If it's four, then it's interesting and there's not just LHO.

Although, maybe five. Because history is a dark business.

America, having failed to kill Castro, decided to kill Kennedy, but wanted to frame someone. However, they were not allowed to frame.

The polyphonic view of history is what DeLillo will masterfully weave in "Underworld" later, proving to the limit his own strength, because until now he has not written anything complex and multi-tonal.

Here it's interesting how all these facts and coincidences lead to one assassination, when the CIA is guided by the almost Chechen-like phrase "из какого сора" - "We'll glue a person or several from the garbage that's left in the pockets". And the fiction becomes reality.

Countless characters, cheerfully about Russia and Belarus, sometimes overly verbose. In the end, just like history itself. Three-four. Or maybe five shots?

On 22 November 1963, there was a photograph of a tremulous instant, an instant that changed the destiny of America and perhaps that of Lee Harvey Oswald forever.

On one hand, there was the lair of the assassins, those who prepared and organized the strike on the lives of Kennedy and his wife Jackie. On the other hand, there was their pawn, their puppet personified in the figure of Lee Oswald, who lived in Bronx, New Orleans, and Dallas, with an uncertain past, who enlisted in the Marines and was then expelled.

Although I liked this book and consider it a masterpiece, I believe it is not easy to enter the psychology of the characters, especially that of Lee. Even though De Lillo tells a story with a sharp and incisive pen that leaves us breathless.

It is a story in which the boundary between good and evil, evil and good, is nothing but the two faces of the same coin that each of us wears.

This eventful day in history has left an indelible mark. The mystery surrounding Oswald's actions and motives continues to fascinate and puzzle people. De Lillo's portrayal of the characters and the events adds another layer of depth to this already complex and tragic story.

"Everything is supposed to be something. But it never is. That's the nature of existence." (65)

Don DeLillo is an American novelist who has made a significant impact in the literary world. The question of whether he can also be considered a poet specializing in novel-length free verse is an interesting one. His works are known for their complex and thought-provoking nature.
In this particular review, the reader gives the book 3.5 stars. The reviewer admits that they felt somewhat distant from the Kennedy assassination, which affected their level of investment in the plot. However, they are quick to praise DeLillo's writing skills. He excels in character building, creating vivid and believable characters. His world building is also top-notch, transporting the reader into a fully realized and immersive setting. Additionally, his ability to build the inner world of the characters is remarkable, allowing the reader to gain a deep understanding of their thoughts and emotions. DeLillo also has an ear for dialogue and an eye for detail, which adds to the overall authenticity of his works.
Despite all these strengths, the reviewer is unable to give the book a full five stars. The reason for this is that they had previously read "Underworld" and perhaps had higher expectations. Nevertheless, it is clear that Don DeLillo is a talented writer whose works are well worth reading.

Oh well.

Looking at all the ingredients, this should've totally been my kind of book. There's an unusual narrator/narrative structure, multiple points of view (PoVs), time shifts, a Kennedy-esque theme, a conspiracy theory, and mentions of patsy!LHO and what not. And all the praise it has received! I was so sure I'd love this book. I so hoped I would.

But alas, that didn't happen - on the contrary. As awesome as all the single pieces sounded, the complete picture didn't do anything for me. I read this fast just to finish it. The plot seemed too much of a back and forth to me. I wasn't interested in all the CIA/conspiracy string pullers at all. I can't even say it any better than: this book was a huge bore for me. And I really don't know why. It just didn't work for me at all. What a major disappointment :/

Granted, I liked Lee's chapters better than the others, especially the tragedy that was Lee/Marina. But even those chapters and scenes couldn't make me really like this book. It's a shame because I had such high expectations going in, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver for me.

DeLillo delves deep into the assassination of Kennedy through the enigma that is Oswald. Oswald, a being fated to encounter History and then vanish precisely when he had ceased to be insignificant. In 'Libra', DeLillo presents an analysis that is excessive, paranoic, and yet brilliant. It is a display that is constantly on the verge of delirium. The story unfolds, painting a vivid picture of the events surrounding the assassination. We are drawn into Oswald's world, trying to understand his motives and actions. DeLillo's writing style is captivating, making us feel as if we are witnesses to this momentous event in history. 'Libra' is not just a book about an assassination; it is a exploration of the human psyche, of fate, and of the power of History.

Somewhere along the line, I had this idea stuck in my head that DeLillo wasn't for me. I have no clue how it got lodged there, but it couldn't be more incorrect. This is only my second encounter with his works (after being thoroughly delighted by White Noise), but between his subject matter, which delves into the American zeitgeist, and his writing style, which is dark, funny, smart, biting, and yet somehow lyrical, I think I might be hooked. Some of his passages are simply a joy to read on their own.

For example, in the quoted passage, the description of the faintly musty smell, the coolness of the small room, and the familiar labels on jars and cans creates a vivid image that makes the reader feel like an ancient and tired child, reliving the simplest and deepest times.

In Libra, DeLillo tells the story of how Lee Harvey Oswald came to shoot JFK in 1963. He uses a "jump cut" style that is more common in film, constantly shifting between different characters and locations or moving forward and backward in time. This adds to the overwhelming and disorienting feeling of being caught up in forces that even those pulling the international strings don't fully understand or control. His work is not so much a theory of what actually happened as a tale with closure served up as a kind of dressing to cover this historical wound.

While reading this book, I also learned some new words, such as prelapsarian, panatela, and shvartzer.

Spoilers -- kind of....

This is truly an outstanding book. For the majority of it, I was completely enamored. Partly, it's because I have a passion for assassinations. But it's also due to the fact that there is a tense intelligence and a certain poetry in much of the writing. Additionally, (at least I thought) there are some really magnificent characterizations and a great deal of Plot MoMo. The portrayal of David Ferrie, for instance, when he meets with Carmine, is just superb writing.

This is my first encounter with DeLillo. I'm aware that many people here believe he is highly overrated. So, I approached this book with the assumption that he wasn't any good. In other words, I went in with an anti-hype mindset. However, I discovered that he is a moving, sensitive, and very human writer, penning about deeply moving and human subjects.

That being said, there were throughout certain extremely subtle indications of weakness. These were very understated. DeLillo sometimes spells out things for the reader that perhaps he shouldn't have. He should have more faith in the reader's own perception. And then, in my opinion, the ending simply didn't work. The reason is quite straightforward: a significant amount of time was spent rehashing events that we've all witnessed countless times on video. He should have concluded the book 50 pages earlier.

Nevertheless, I still derived a great deal of enjoyment from this book.

American birthright is not just a simple concept; it comes with a complex inheritance. It is like a purchase into a collective history, where the currency is exchanged in divisible units such as platelets, plasma, iron, haemoglobin, and cryoprecipitated factor.

They, whoever they may be, would never tell you this directly. If you were to ask, they would offer you a convincingly performative atonement and a thoughtfully considered justification, sending you on your way with false reassurances. They might say, "We were just protecting your way of life, fighting to preserve the exceptionalism you hold to be self-evident."

I, for a time, actually believed this bullshit. It's easy to be compelled by the packaged romance of it all, to let oneself drown in the rhythms and cadences of the white noise. But at some point, whether it's tonight or a decade from now, you'll roll over in those narcotic twilight hours, hear the record scratch, and realize you've been lied to this entire fucking time.

"Six point nine seconds of heat and light. Let's call a meeting to analyze the blur. Let's devote our lives to understanding this moment, separating the elements of each crowded second." 11/22/63 was a crucial fulcrum point in American history. I don't use this metaphor lightly. The scales had been carefully weighed to ensure that the erythrocytic currency never made our star-spangled people consciously consider their complicity in a history of violence. It was always "Them" and never "Us", you know what I mean?

But on that day, the scales tipped, and the machinery of barrel and bone turned back on itself, spraying that capital all over Dealey Plaza. All because the Person representing the People acted in a way the Power couldn't tolerate.

...I suppose all debts come calling eventually. How fitting that Lee Oswald was a Libra...

Libra is presented as a work of fiction, but I don't believe it. While the details and finer contours may not precisely match the evidence, I do believe the basic premise is true. That's why I consider it Don DeLillo's masterpiece and my contender for the Great American Novel. It's a crimson portrait of who we are and how we got here.

Magnificent.

It is truly magnificent. There is an absolute necessity to read DeLillo. His works are like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

His writing style is unique and captivating, drawing readers into a world of complex characters and thought-provoking storylines.

By exploring the link http://entremontonesdelibros.blogspot..., one can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of his literary genius.

Whether you are a die-hard literature enthusiast or simply looking for a good read, DeLillo's books are sure to leave a lasting impression.

So, don't hesitate, pick up a DeLillo novel today and embark on a literary journey like no other.

Don DeLillo's work is typically a challenging offering, and this one is no exception. It dramatizes the Kennedy Assassination and the life of Lee Harvey Oswald in a complex and thought-provoking way.

The narrative unfolds in three parallel strands. The first strand delves into Oswald's misadventures. He was a failed student, a Marine washout, a Communist defector, and an aimless, angry young man. His life was filled with disappointments and frustrations.

The second strand presents a convoluted CIA plot against John F. Kennedy. In this plot, Oswald is conscripted as a fall guy. The details of the plot are complex and involve many characters and events.

The third strand follows a modern historian researching Kennedy's death. The historian is overwhelmed by the contradictory evidence, doubts he can't dispel, and the sheer amount of data to digest. This strand offers DeLillo a chance to reflect on the frustrating unknowability of reality.

As historical fiction, the novel has its flaws. The anachronic plot strands can be confusing and require patience from the reader. DeLillo's theory about JFK's death is also implausible, even by the standards of conspiracy lore. However, the novel's strengths lie in its fascinating portrait of Oswald as an All-American Loser. DeLillo's exploration of Oswald's character and his motives is what makes the novel worthwhile, even for those who are skeptical of conspiracy theories.

Overall, this is a tough, evasive, but ultimately worthwhile postmodern historical fiction. It challenges the reader's assumptions and forces them to think about the events surrounding the Kennedy Assassination in a new way.

Libra is a prime example of what outstanding historical fiction should strive to be. It is meticulously researched, delving deep into the people, time, place, and events. The presentation is empathetic, allowing readers to truly understand the motivations, inclinations, and ideas that drive individuals and shape history.

The theme of secrets is explored in-depth. Win reflects on his daughter's sharing of secrets, noting how they can be both vitalizing and isolating. DeLillo weaves a story around the personal biographies of those involved, uncovering the secrets that lie beneath the surface.

The idea of spying on secrets is also prominent. Larry is part of a network of so-called gentlemen spies, and the story delves into the world of espionage and the risks involved. The characters in the story are complex and multifaceted, with their own motives and desires.

The Times are a backdrop to the story, with references to the social and political climate of the era. Lee's ideology is examined, as is the spy luncheon consensus and the various organizations and groups that play a role in the story.

The examination of the evidence and Win's conclusion add another layer of depth to the narrative. The story unfolds gradually, leading to the final act and the mother's conclusion. Overall, Libra is a rich and engaging historical fiction that offers a unique perspective on a significant moment in history.