Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
27(27%)
4 stars
33(33%)
3 stars
39(39%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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Reading a writer's first novel can be a truly enlightening experience, especially when it is a work that has been somewhat overlooked in the grander discussions. It serves as a valuable lesson in both the art of writing and the elements that might deviate from traditional craft. As you peruse the pages, you can clearly see the writer's intentions, the areas where they have achieved notable success, and then there are those moments where it becomes a bit of a mystery. It could potentially be a display of pretentious nonsense, or perhaps there is something more profound lurking beneath the surface. This ambiguous territory is what I like to call the "soft white underbelly" of the novel. It is both unsettling and has a certain demiurgic quality, as if it holds the power to create something new and unexpected.

July 15,2025
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3.5 stars.

An interesting, cleverly written, tough read. There is little in the way of plot momentum and the characters are generally uninteresting. However, as with all DeLillo novels, the writing is sublime.

The novel is set in the late 1960s and is about David Bell, a 28-year-old TV executive who embarks on a filming assignment across the USA. Along the journey, he utilizes his movie camera to film a script he has penned. He effortlessly locates people to read his script in front of the camera. David has an active sex life. He got married in his early 20s and was divorced over one year later, having engaged in numerous affairs during his marriage.

DeLillo satirically explores a number of issues, including TV network office life, relationships, the Vietnam war, and fame. Here are a couple of quotes from the book that I liked:

‘Too much has been forgotten in the name of memory.’

‘She was the one, I decided, who would guide me into the vortex of the cliche.’

This book was DeLillo’s first published novel. Readers new to DeLillo should commence with ‘White Noise’ or ‘Libra’. DeLillo fans should discover ‘Americana’ a gratifying read.
July 15,2025
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DeLillo reread. 2021/2022. Starting from the top, I embarked on a journey of rediscovering the works of Don DeLillo.

His unique writing style and profound insights into modern society never fail to captivate me. With each page turned, I am drawn deeper into the complex worlds he creates.

The characters in his novels are vivid and multi-dimensional, their lives intertwined in ways that both surprise and engage.

As I reread, I notice new details and subtleties that I may have missed on my first reading.

DeLillo's exploration of themes such as technology, globalization, and the human condition is as relevant today as it was when his works were first published.

This rereading experience has not only enhanced my appreciation for his writing but has also given me a new perspective on the world around us.

I look forward to continuing this journey of discovery and seeing what else DeLillo has to offer.
July 15,2025
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Postmodern novel about the connection of modern man with the world. It very well follows the moment in life when a person stops and listens to his own pulse and tries to synchronize it with the pulse of the world.

Perhaps the book would have appealed to me even more if I had read it earlier. It was very interesting, but also thought-provoking. In the end, it was a classic work.

This postmodern novel delves deep into the complex relationship between modern man and the world around him. It masterfully captures those crucial moments when an individual pauses, tunes in to their inner rhythm, and attempts to find harmony with the greater rhythm of the universe.

The story is not only engaging and entertaining but also forces the reader to reflect on their own place in the world and their connection to it. It makes one wonder about the significance of our daily lives and the ways in which we interact with the world.

Overall, it is a remarkable piece of literature that combines elements of postmodernism with a timeless exploration of the human condition. It is a work that will surely resonate with readers and leave them with much to think about long after they have turned the final page.
July 15,2025
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With this reread, Americana has truly and legitimately become one of my absolute favorite works of DeLillo's. In fact, it is an extremely good starting point if you haven't delved into his writings before. My most significant compliment is that this is precisely the book that I am striving (or I would very much like) to write. Thematically and atmospherically, it is so strikingly similar to my current novel that is in the process of being written. It has me with an intense desire to go back and rewrite everything from scratch.

It delves deep into what truly constitutes America, not the false and often-cited Americana. It explores aspects such as dying at your desk while at work, using your Amex to purchase a plane ticket, having your brain distorted by advertising, the normalization of the Bataan Death March, the warding off of impending death, CIA Psy-Op programs, and all that other fascinating and yet disturbing stuff that we have become so accustomed to that we don't even bat an eye at it.

It is truly amazing and has left a profound impact on me.
July 15,2025
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DeLillo's language is present in this, his very first novel, and I adored it. This was my fifth DeLillo work, and each one of them has its own strong points. Americana is an exploration of a lost and wandering mind that is trapped within itself, as seen in our main character, David Bell. This portrayal of success leading to wanderlust and a search is familiar to me, being a middle-aged middle management parent and husband.

There is something about DeLillo that lingers with me after I finish reading his novels. There are certain scenes and phrases that will always remain etched in my memory.

"There is a world inside the world that you see...." This simple yet profound statement sums up the essence of DeLillo's writing. It makes me wonder about the hidden depths and mysteries that exist within our everyday lives. DeLillo has a unique ability to uncover these hidden aspects and present them in a way that is both thought-provoking and engaging. His novels are not just stories; they are a journey into the human psyche and the complex world we live in.
July 15,2025
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This is a four-star book, I would say.

Personally, I have a particular fondness for the opening. It seems that early Delillo is somewhat underappreciated.

Everyone tends to put an excessive amount of emphasis on his later "big books."

However, the works from his earlier period also possess unique charm and value.

Their literary styles and themes may be different from those of the later ones, but they are no less excellent.

Perhaps we should take a closer look at these early works and give them the recognition they deserve.

By doing so, we can have a more comprehensive understanding of Delillo's literary achievements and the evolution of his创作 style.

After all, each stage of an author's career is an important part of his overall creative journey.
July 15,2025
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The effect of a preparatory work if read with Underworld in mind, but it is still an excellent test to be a first work (and could be a mature work for many other writers).

It is heterogeneous (the first part flows compactly like a sort of Easton Ellis on business life ten years before American Psycho, the second expands in narrative streams coming from the past) and at times inconclusive (the indefinite profile of the protagonist), but it offers snapshots (\\"American\\", precisely) that remain imprinted in the mind.

The writing is already great (and the Einaudi translation is up to the task). This novel shows the author's potential and creativity, even though it has some flaws. The different narrative styles and the unresolved aspects give it a certain charm and make it stand out from other works.

Readers will be captivated by the vivid descriptions and the complex characters, and will be left with a lasting impression of this unique literary work.
July 15,2025
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A book that is very much a product of its time - the end of the 1960s.

It vividly describes a nation that is in the midst of a significant transition.

The divide between a new generation, which questions the traditional way of living, is personified by the American Dream-type protagonist, David.

On one hand, it is a great piece of writing that encapsulates an entire era, capturing the essence and spirit of that particular time period.

However, on the other hand, it is also a rather dull story that lacks any real drama or progress.

The plot seems to meander without a clear direction, making it a bit of a slog to get through at times.

All in all, it can be an interesting read if you have the patience and perseverance to manage it.

It offers a unique perspective on a bygone era and can be a valuable addition to any literature lover's collection.

But it may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially those who are looking for a fast-paced and action-packed story.

July 15,2025
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Americana

I've had a rather inconsistent experience with the award-winning American author Don DeLillo. I gave up on the first book of his that I attempted, which was The Body Artist. However, I was truly impressed by Falling Man (as you can see in my review), despite it being a rather challenging read. I happened to come across Americana (1971) at the library, and since I had just purchased a copy of the award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah from the Africa Book Club, I was curious to see if there were any similarities or if Adichie had drawn any inspiration from DeLillo's novel with a similar-sounding name.

DeLillo's Americana is his debut novel, and it belongs to that category of novels that subvert the so-called 'American dream'. But it doesn't stop there; it also subverts different literary genres. In Part 1, it undermines the workplace satire, while in Part 2, it takes on the road novel genre. DeLillo himself describes it as a'shaggy' novel, and indeed it is, but it still manages to hold the reader's interest.

The novel kicks off with a vivid portrayal of office life, presenting the highly competitive male employees who are constantly trying to analyze the office politics to uncover the true hierarchy that lies beneath the false veneer of equality. In this hothouse environment, everything holds significance, from the type and color of office furniture and doors to other symbols that signify who is who. The men pump the secretaries for information about plots and counter-plots, and they all surreptitiously watch each other during those unproductive drone-fests.
The style of Part 1 will be very familiar to 21st-century readers, yet the sardonic wit still manages to work its charm. Through his narcissistic narrator, David Bell, DeLillo captures the irony of opinion-makers in a TV network who themselves have no clue about the current affairs documentaries they are supposed to be producing. David's project about the Navaho Indians is based on breathtaking ignorance, and their stance on China reveals that they are only focused on the visuals and the logistics of production, rather than the content.

Overall, Americana is a thought-provoking and engaging read that offers a unique perspective on American society and the literary genres that attempt to capture it.
July 15,2025
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Don DeLillo's first book is a work that, despite showing its age, remains an excellent read.

The narrative takes the reader on a journey that, while not without its flaws, has moments of true brilliance. In the middle of the book, there is a section that delves into the main character's past. This exploration is some of DeLillo's finest writing, as it provides depth and complexity to the character.

The last 4 pages of the book, however, are a bit of a mystery. They are inexplicably, yet explicitly, insane. The reader is left wondering what exactly is going on and what it all means.

Despite this strange ending, the book as a whole is a worthwhile read. It offers a unique perspective on life and the human condition, and showcases DeLillo's talent as a writer. Whether you're a fan of his later works or new to his writing, this first book is definitely worth checking out.
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