Américana

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En nous lançant aux trousses de David Bell, l’inquiet et séduisant narrateur du roman, Don DeLillo nous entraîne dans les arcanes d’une société où l’on bascule facilement du confort de l’establishment au vagabondage, sous l’influence de mythes, fantasmes et obsessions auxquels se raccrochent les personnages irrésistibles qui peuplent cette aventure.
Premier roman de l’écrivain reconnu qu’est aujourd’hui Don DeLillo, Americana apporte une nouvelle preuve que l’Amérique est encore et toujours à découvrir.

454 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1971

About the author

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Donald Richard DeLillo is an American novelist, short story writer, playwright, screenwriter and essayist. His works have covered subjects as diverse as television, nuclear war, the complexities of language, art, the advent of the Digital Age, mathematics, politics, economics, and sports.
DeLillo was already a well-regarded cult writer in 1985, when the publication of White Noise brought him widespread recognition and the National Book Award for fiction. He followed this in 1988 with Libra, a novel about the Kennedy assassination. DeLillo won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Mao II, about terrorism and the media's scrutiny of writers' private lives, and the William Dean Howells Medal for Underworld, a historical novel that ranges in time from the dawn of the Cold War to the birth of the Internet. He was awarded the 1999 Jerusalem Prize, the 2010 PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction in 2010, and the 2013 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.
DeLillo has described his themes as "living in dangerous times" and "the inner life of the culture." In a 2005 interview, he said that writers "must oppose systems. It's important to write against power, corporations, the state, and the whole system of consumption and of debilitating entertainments... I think writers, by nature, must oppose things, oppose whatever power tries to impose on us."

Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
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99 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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I completed this book in just three days.

It was an absolute page-turner and a great read from start to finish.

The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the writing style was captivating.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created.

Every chapter left me eager to turn the page and find out what would happen next.

I truly enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good story.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone.

So, don't hesitate to pick up a copy and start reading. You won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
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The following is the expanded article:

Artfully rendered, this piece presents a unique voice that is both captivating and somewhat perplexing.

It seems to be a form of masturbatory horseshit, a term that might seem harsh but perhaps accurately describes the self-indulgent nature of the work.

The artistry involved in its rendering cannot be denied, with careful attention to detail and a certain aesthetic appeal.

However, the overall message or purpose remains somewhat elusive, leaving the reader to wonder if it is simply an exercise in self-expression for the sake of it.

Despite its flaws, or perhaps because of them, it manages to hold the reader's attention and spark a certain curiosity.

Whether it is truly a work of art or just a glorified piece of horseshit is a matter of personal opinion, but one thing is for sure - it is not easily forgotten.

July 15,2025
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There were indeed moments within this work that I found enjoyable. However, in the end, it simply isn't the right fit for me.

It seems to be a rather strange blend of elements from "On The Road," "Fear and Loathing," and "Gatsby." There is an abundance of that "old boy" banter, which can be charming at times but also feels a bit overdone.

Moreover, one has to wonder just how many metaphors can be squeezed into a single novel. It reaches a point where it almost feels like an exercise in showing off rather than enhancing the story.

People have been persistently telling me to read deLillo for years. Now that I have, I understand what I've been missing. There is a certain depth and complexity to his writing that is both captivating and challenging. While this particular piece didn't fully resonate with me, I can see the talent and artistry that goes into his work. It makes me eager to explore more of his novels and see if I can find that perfect connection.
July 15,2025
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A great poke at Madison Avenue!

This statement holds significant weight and intrigue. It implies a sharp critique or satirical take on the world of advertising and marketing, which is so closely associated with Madison Avenue.

From the very start of DeLillo's career, this work has been a must-read for his fans. It offers a unique perspective into his creative mind and his ability to dissect and analyze various aspects of society. DeLillo's fans eagerly anticipate each new piece of his work, knowing that it will likely contain thought-provoking and incisive commentary.

This particular work seems to have a special place in his body of work, as it specifically targets Madison Avenue. It may explore the excesses, the false promises, and the power dynamics that exist within the advertising industry. By delving into this subject matter, DeLillo is able to shed light on a world that often goes unnoticed or is taken for granted.

Overall, this work is not only a great read for DeLillo's fans but also for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of Madison Avenue and the impact it has on our society.

July 15,2025
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Don DeLillo is a remarkable author who delves deep into the themes of image and death.

It appears that a significant number of his characters are captivated by war and terrorism. Take, for instance, David Bell from Americana and Gary Harkness in End Zone.

At times, it's as if DeLillo is documenting these stories through a video camera, and there's an undeniable sense of excellent cinematography in all of his works.

Americana is DeLillo's first novel, and while I had a great affection for it, I couldn't help but feel that the third part was somewhat lacking. It didn't resonate with me as strongly as the other three parts.

However, there were certain aspects that I truly enjoyed. The nine-mile race track at the end of Americana was quite engaging.

Also, when David Bell is in his NYC high-rise office at the beginning, looking out the window at the Mohawk skyscraper workers constructing the skeleton of a high-rise building, it's a scene that only DeLillo could pen.

At this moment, you can sense David Bell's longing to escape.

Overall, Americana is a wonderful and slightly rough-around-the-edges novel that showcases DeLillo's brilliance as a writer.

It's a captivating read that leaves a lasting impression.
July 15,2025
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DeLillo, with his remarkable virtuoso prosody, delves into that perilous and often overlooked story - the plight of the disillusioned yuppie.

Though his latent genius manages to shine through on occasion, such as in the case of "Death is Just Around the Corner", which I'm certain will remain etched in my mind until my own end. However, for the most part, the work is hampered by poor pacing, tiresome allusions to Joyce, and an overall sense of amateurishness.

It holds value for the DeLillo completionist as he does outline an early approach to his signature themes of death and the Image. But otherwise, I would recommend skipping this one.

Some of my dissatisfaction can be attributed to the audiobook reader, who failed to fully grasp DeLillo's unique style. This lack of understanding on the part of the reader may have contributed to my less than favorable impression of the work.

Overall, while there are glimmers of promise in DeLillo's exploration of this particular story, the flaws ultimately overshadow the strengths.
July 15,2025
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As someone who is quite new to Don DeLillo, with "White Noise" being my only other point of reference.

I found this particular work to be good, but it definitely wasn't the stunner that some have claimed "Libra" and "Mao 2" to be.

I will, however, continue to read his work. But I'm not in a rush to immediately pick up the next book by him.

I heard that this is his first book, and perhaps that fact influences the overall perception of the piece.

Anyway, the prose is extremely long. It's long as hell, really.

Despite its length, there are still some interesting aspects and ideas within the text that keep me engaged enough to want to explore more of DeLillo's writing in the future.

But for now, I'll take my time and approach his other works with a bit more caution and a more discerning eye.
July 15,2025
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You cannot tell me this isn't "Mad Men" Season 7 Part 2. So obviously, I loved it.

The show has always been a masterpiece, and this part was no exception. The storylines were engaging, the characters were complex and well-developed, and the cinematography was beautiful.

I was especially impressed with how the show dealt with the changing times and the impact it had on the characters. The 1960s were a time of great social and cultural change, and "Mad Men" captured that perfectly.

The acting was also superb. Jon Hamm as Don Draper was as brilliant as ever, and the supporting cast was equally excellent. They brought the characters to life and made me care about what happened to them.

Overall, "Mad Men" Season 7 Part 2 was a fitting end to an amazing show. It will be missed, but it will always be remembered as one of the greatest shows of all time.
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