Don DeLillo's End Zone is an oddly absurd book that delves into a plethora of themes.

It explores not only what is explicitly written within its pages - such as football, life, identity, and solipsism - but also what remains unsaid. The lurking threats of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the institutional racism that has been (and still is) concealed behind a veneer of pleasantries due to people's lack of awareness are all part of the unspoken subtext.

Silence is a predominant theme in the book. The silence that follows a Holocaust and the silence of a city transformed into a colossal tombstone. It is the language the writer employs to whisper unheard suggestions into your ears, giving you the sense that you are constantly on the verge of grasping something profound. In this regard, it bears a resemblance to Catch-22.

The book also contains some truly tongue-in-cheek humour that contrasts well with the more serious passages. However, I feel that not all of the serious musings are necessary. After a certain point, they start to seem repetitive and pointless.

The strength of the book lies in its dialogue and the interactions between a wild assortment of characters who are just as likely to recite philosophy on the field as they are to brutally attack their opponents. I would definitely recommend this book to all those who enjoy reading slightly deviant and subversive works like those of Vonnegut and Heller.

This is part 2 of a rather strange project I have embarked upon. I have long been aware that there are only two Don Delillo novels that I haven't read. For reasons that I'm not entirely certain of, I decided to correct that by reading all of his novels in chronological order, picking up the two missing ones along the way. You might think that's a lot of reading just for the sake of a couple of relatively short books. And, of course, you're right. But the 5 novels in the middle of Delillo's output are among my all-time favorite novels, so I'm always happy to find excuses to read them again.

(I may skip Ratner's Star. It's not long since I re-read it and it really isn't very good.)

End Zone is one of the two missing books from my collection. Ostensibly, it's a story about Gary Harkness, who plays college football in America. He has somewhat self-destructive impulses, which means he has moved around trying to find a college where he can stay without something going wrong. We encounter him at Logos College in West Texas (note the name, Greek for “word,” a not-too-subtle pointer). We follow Gary through a season of football games, including one long chapter that describes the most brutal game of the season and is a very impressive piece of sports writing.

In his academic work, Gary is obsessed with the threat of nuclear war. Several reviews of the book begin to draw comparisons between warfare and what happens on the football field, but Delillo is quite clear when he has one of his characters say, “I reject the notion of football as warfare. Warfare is warfare. We don't need substitutes because we've got the real thing. Football is discipline. It's team love. It's reason plus passion.” The connections are more in the imagination of the reader than on the pages of the novel. Perhaps one specific overlap is a comparison, which the reader makes rather than the author, of the arcane terms in a football play book (each team coming up with its own code so that other teams cannot decipher the upcoming action) and the obscure terms used to describe warfare.

“I became fascinated by words and phrases like thermal hurricane, overkill, circular error probability, post-attack environment, stark deterrence, dose-rate contours, kill ratio, spasm war. Pleasure in these words. They were extremely effective, I thought, whispering shyly of cycles of destruction so great that the language of past world wars became laughable, the wars themselves somewhat naive.”

And this brings us back to logos, word, because, as with all things Delillo, language is key. Words are key to Harkness in his obsessions, but also to Delillo in his writing. It's a common feature in his books that they have long passages that deliberately evade comprehension but create an effect. He once said, “I think more than writers, the major influences on me have been European movies, and jazz, and Abstract Expressionism.” This is not quite as obvious here as in other books (e.g. The Names), but this is Delillo's second novel and he is clearly still finding his rhythm.

This is a novel about conflict and confrontation. It is full of ideas and phrases, so full, in fact, that it's impossible to write any kind of view of it without feeling that you've missed out several key ideas. What to do, for example, with “It's only a game, but it's the only game.”? Or with “History is the angle at which realities meet”? Or with this longer passage that seems to reflect today, almost 50 years after publication, how many in America feel about their country:

“What's the strangest thing about this country? It's that when I wake up tomorrow morning, any morning, the first bit of fear I have doesn't concern our national enemies, our traditional cold-war or whatever-kind-of-war enemies. I'm not afraid of those people at all. So then who am I afraid of because I'm definitely afraid of somebody. Listen and I'll tell you. I'm afraid of my own country. I'm afraid of the United States of America.”

3.5 stars rounded up for now.

This book is truly absurd.

It contains a great deal more about football than I initially expected, rather than solely focusing on the Vietnam War.

At times, I found it quite relaxing to simply read the football terms and accept that I wouldn't fully understand them.

Similarly, reading the numerous teammates' names without attempting to keep track of who they were also had a certain charm.

Interestingly, as I progressed through the book, the characters gradually became clearer.

Each one began to展示 their own unique individuality, which was quite engaging.

Moreover, it seemed that their attitude of accepting what they didn't know and relaxing into the process of questioning was also quite remarkable.

This aspect added an extra layer of depth to the story and made it a more interesting read overall.

Despite its initial absurdity and the unexpected emphasis on football, the book managed to draw me in and keep my attention until the very end.

It was a strange yet enjoyable literary experience that I'm glad I had.

3.5 - A Lot of Fun

3.5 is not just a number; it represents a world full of excitement and enjoyment.

When you embrace the concept of 3.5, you open the door to a plethora of fun activities and experiences.

It could mean going on adventures, trying new hobbies, or simply spending quality time with friends and family.

There are countless ways to have a lot of fun with 3.5.

You might explore a new city, visit a theme park, or engage in a thrilling sport.

Maybe you'll discover a new favorite book or movie, or have a hilarious game night with your loved ones.

No matter how you choose to experience it, 3.5 is sure to bring a smile to your face and create memories that will last a lifetime.

So, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the fun that 3.5 has to offer.

Let loose, have a great time, and make the most of every moment.

After all, life is too short not to have a lot of fun with 3.5.

Third read of this, and each time it seems to move higher up my DeLillo-meter.

This is directly proportionate to the less seriously I take myself and/or life.

End Zone is truly the one instance where Don's patented 'approximating humanoid' dialogue really serves a significant function.

Of course, no one in the real world talks like the characters in DeLillo's books. However, here that very aspect is sort of the joke.

It still has one of his best endings, and it firmly remains in my Top 5 by the Don.

The story unfolds in a unique way, with the dialogue adding an extra layer of absurdity and charm.

The characters, though not entirely relatable in their speech, draw you into their world and make you question the norms of communication.

As I continue to explore DeLillo's works, End Zone stands out as a remarkable piece that showcases his talent for creating something truly original and thought-provoking.

I am continuing a reread of a work by DeLillo.

This particular piece is truly one of the best sports novels out there.

The football scenes described within it are of first-rate quality.

They are so vividly portrayed that one can almost feel as if they are right there on the field, experiencing the excitement and intensity of the game.

DeLillo's writing style brings the action to life, making it easy for the reader to become fully immersed in the story.

Each play, each tackle, and each touchdown is described with such detail and precision that it adds a whole new level of authenticity to the novel.

It's not just a story about football; it's a story about the characters, their emotions, and their lives both on and off the field.

Rereading this novel allows me to appreciate all of these aspects even more, and I look forward to seeing what new insights I can gain from it this time around.

DeLillo's works always have a unique charm, and this one is no exception. It is either my third or fourth favorite DeLillo novel, and it is equally meritorious.
The story unfolds within the context of the Cold War imagination that explodes on the domestic front. It delves deep into the psychological and social aspects of that era, painting a vivid picture of a world on the brink of chaos.
The characters are well-developed, each with their own complex motives and desires. Their interactions drive the plot forward, creating a sense of tension and anticipation.
The language used by DeLillo is masterful, with rich descriptions and powerful imagery. It draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from beginning to end.
Overall, this novel is a must-read for fans of DeLillo and anyone interested in exploring the themes of war, politics, and the human psyche.

How would you rate this book? Well, it consists of 250 pages filled with pretentious, beautiful, clever, and yet funny text.

On one hand, it might just be the worst football story ever told. Bonding with the characters? Good luck with that - they are all about testosterone and philosophy.

However, it does earn three stars solely based on DeLillo's writing. You might want to grab an extra highlighter or a pack of stickies because there are numerous passages that you'll surely want to mark.

The fourth star comes from the clever manner in which he merges football and war. He explicitly denies the obvious approach of football being a proxy for war in a perfect passage that elucidates sport as a "benign illusion". Instead, DeLillo views war as a game, both figuratively and literally. This contradicts his denial of football as war, as the football players are portrayed as ascetic warrior/philosophers.

Overall, it's a complex and thought-provoking read that leaves you with a lot to ponder about the relationship between football, war, and the human psyche.

Don DeLillo is a highly regarded and influential American author, and among his extensive body of work, there are several that stand out as particularly enjoyable. One such work could be "White Noise." In this novel, DeLillo explores themes such as consumerism, media saturation, and the fear of death in a highly engaging and thought-provoking way. The characters are complex and vividly drawn, and the narrative is filled with his trademark sharp wit and incisive social commentary. Another enjoyable work might be "Underworld." This ambitious novel weaves together multiple storylines and time periods, delving into the history of baseball, the Cold War, and the cultural and political landscape of America. DeLillo's prose is rich and evocative, creating a vivid and immersive world that readers can easily get lost in. Whether it's the exploration of modern life in "White Noise" or the sweeping historical canvas of "Underworld," DeLillo's work offers readers a unique and rewarding literary experience.

I'm English, and I know absolutely nothing about American football. So, in all likelihood, I didn't select the appropriate Delillo work to read. I caught wind of something regarding sport in novels on Radio 4, which stated that this particular one was humorous, and that's precisely why I gave it a go. There are so many characters, but only a couple of them managed to make an impression on me. The story is told in an episodic manner. For the majority of it, I remained disengaged.

It seems that my lack of familiarity with American football might have been a significant barrier to fully enjoying this novel. The episodic nature of the narrative also didn't help to keep my interest piqued throughout. However, I can't help but wonder if there were other aspects of the book that I missed due to my initial lack of connection. Maybe with a second read, or perhaps after familiarizing myself more with the sport, I might be able to appreciate it in a different light.

Nevertheless, based on my first encounter, I have to admit that it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I was hoping for a more engaging and immersive reading experience, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Still, I'm glad I gave it a try, as it has taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of context and personal interests when it comes to choosing books to read.

One of DeLillo's best novels. After a rather unremarkable first part - overly verbose and tedious - comes a refined account of silence and stillness, a masterful description of American football, athletes as grown-up philosophers, the battle of logos and the center and the motel in the desert. Sport as war, and about the ultimate victory over death.

The story unfolds in a unique and captivating way. The detailed portrayal of American football brings to life the intensity and drama of the game. The athletes are not just physical beings but also deep thinkers, grappling with the profound questions of life and death. The battle between the logos and the center in the desolate motel adds an element of mystery and intrigue. It's as if the author is using sport as a metaphor for the larger struggles and conflicts in life. The idea of sport as war is a powerful one, highlighting the competitiveness and the will to win that drives athletes. And the concept of the ultimate victory over death gives the story a sense of hope and transcendence.

Overall, this novel is a thought-provoking and engaging read that delves into the complex themes of silence, sport, and the human condition.

This is DeLillo's second novel, which he wrote in his mid-thirties.

You can sense the lively jazzy rhythms that he is exploring, based on the works of Faulkner.

As a fan of his, I value this novel as a crucial step in his writing journey, leading to his later masterpieces.

He employs a small college football team in the remote areas of Texas to delve deeper into the more absurd facets of US culture.

The characters' witty remarks about life and death, the bomb, sex, sport, and nature made me laugh out loud.

DeLillo is in the process of establishing his remarkable literary voice, which will go on to captivate readers around the world.

His unique style and ability to blend different themes and ideas make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature.

Whether you are a long-time fan or new to his work, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.