(Lần 1: 17 - 18/04/14 - Unrated): I will read it many times.

(Lần 2: 10 - 12/08/16 - 3 stars): The first feeling when rereading this book after 2 years is a revelation: I have taken the first step to approach the characters in a fascinating and irresistible story. I think the translator is right when saying that this is a book that needs to be read and reread many times, because every time I turn the pages of this book, I find a new ray of light shining on me.

This book has a unique charm that keeps attracting me. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their stories are full of twists and turns. Each time I read it, I discover something new and gain a deeper understanding of the plot and the characters.

I believe that this book will continue to be a source of inspiration and enjoyment for me in the future. It is a book that I will cherish and recommend to others.

The novel commences with a vivid scene of a grand breakfast.

At this moment, seemingly nothing of significance is transpiring. It is simply a married couple, Rey Robles and his third wife, Lauren Hartke, sharing their morning repast together.

But hold on, did I truly say nothing was going on? No, for this breakfast is filled with "unspoken" or rather, meaningless conversations and daily gestures that unfold slowly, classically, and mechanically.

As I turn the pages, I manage to put aside this rather "mind-blowing" breakfast scene. Suddenly, I stumble upon the obituary of Rey, a cult filmmaker of sixty-four who has just taken his own life (much like me, as I have a penchant for "cult" cinema).

I then find myself delving back into this house, which has now suddenly become eerily empty. Rey is no longer present; Lauren is left alone by her window, still intently gazing at the birds and reflecting on her late husband.

Alone? Well, not entirely. She discovers in the house an unexpected squatter, and quite a young one at that, but not yet a fully-fledged man.

Who could he be? What does he do? In the throes of mourning, Lauren desires to remain secluded, to isolate herself from the outside world.

However, when she attempts to make contact with this squatter, whom she has arbitrarily named Mr Tuttle, she has the uncanny impression of hearing Rey's voice, his intonations, and seeing his gestures as if in a genuine copy.

And thus, I uncover the central theme of this novel: mourning. A few days after the loss of a loved one, what emotions prevail in Lauren's thoughts? Grief, desolation, sadness, and heartbreak.

For this still "young" woman, a new life will have to commence.

Somehow, the main heroine (she has a name, but in the text she is underlined as "she", so let's leave it at that) finds a foreign hair in her breakfast, and later that same day, her man is found with a shot head in the living room of the former. In short, something went wrong from the very morning. But the strange incidents don't end there, and soon someone is found at the heroine's home. On the outside, he seems like an ordinary person, yet in communication - not quite.

Perhaps, this is the personification of her grief. After all, the heroine really loved her man (fortunately, she reminds us of this several times, because it would be difficult to understand from the scene of their shared breakfast); perhaps, this is a vagrant who fled from some nearby shelter (but this assumption doesn't stop the heroine from having sex with him, to which he didn't show any initiative); perhaps, this is an alien (and the heroine's thought "hmm, what if I'm the first person to abduct an alien?" is my favorite part in the book). In any case, this is desperate postmodernism, so there is no single answer, and your interpretations are no worse than the author's, because the author has died. (But not DeLillo, with DeLillo everything is still okay; well, except that what comes out about love in him is not as good as about academic self-importance).

The first chapter of The Body Artist is an almost flawless piece of prose-poetry. It minutely dissects two people through just a few minutes of ordinary action. Everything unfolds in a kind of hyperreal slow motion, yet it flows effortlessly and naturally.

From that point on, the book changes gears and becomes a study of self-isolation that can compete with some of the loneliest passages in H. Murakami's works (who, in his turn, has written some of the loneliest novels I'm familiar with). However, even with its concise novella length, the book never managed to grip me as strongly as it did in its opening.

The opening chapter sets a high standard with its beautiful and detailed portrayal, but as the story progresses, it seems to lose some of that initial charm and impact. Nevertheless, it still offers an interesting exploration of themes such as self-isolation and the human psyche.

One of the examples in which the form/technique is more important (for the author) than the story.

At times, the book becomes confusing as the author seems to be trying too hard. Otherwise, the courage to offer something special, at the risk of losing some readers, is to be commended.

It is interesting to note how in some literary works, the focus on form and technique can overshadow the actual narrative. The author may be so intent on experimenting with different styles and methods that the story itself gets lost in the process.

This can lead to a lack of clarity and coherence, making it difficult for the reader to fully engage with the text. However, it is also important to recognize the value of taking risks and pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

By doing so, the author may be able to create something truly unique and innovative that stands out from the crowd.

In conclusion, while the importance of a well-told story cannot be denied, it is also essential to consider the role that form and technique play in shaping the overall reading experience.

The book is beautiful, but it just doesn't resonate with me.

For some reason, it reminded me of "Under the Glass Bell" on vibes.

It was interesting in terms of the new reading experience of such a text. It's interesting how exactly the author immerses us in the heroine and her feelings.

"Do people always consider those who challenge their beliefs as heretical?"

"Time seems to pass."

"Something is happening. This has happened. This will happen. This is what she believes. There is history, the flow of consciousness and possibilities. The future begins to exist."

But not for him.

He didn't learn languages. Presumably, there is some imaginary point, a non-place, where language intersects with our perception of time and space, and he is a wanderer at this intersection, deprived of words and coordinates.

I found myself in a state of hesitation when it came to rating this book. Technically speaking, I didn't actually finish it. Usually, the fact that I don't complete a book is sufficient for me to award it 2 stars or less. However, this situation is also significant because the book is under 130 pages, and I was actually in a patient enough frame of mind to engage with postmodernism.

If you were to ask me what "The Body Artist" is about, I could tell you four things. First, the main couple resides in a house. Second, they consume human food; I believe it was cereal, or perhaps it was toast. Third, they walk around the house quite a bit. Fourth, someone passes away, and then something occurs.

This neatly sums up my relationship with DeLillo. I never truly understand what is happening, yet somehow I don't feel confused or bored. Halfway through the book, I still couldn't describe the protagonist beyond the fact that she is "some sort of living organism because she consumes toast and is written with a gender-specific third person pronoun." DeLillo manages to produce paragraph after paragraph of concise prose filled with non-place specific locality without my realizing it as I read. It's like attempting to taste water while you're drinking it, only without making an effort.

So, what maintained my interest? Well, it was whatever compelled me to finish "White Noise." Honestly, he could title his books "White Noise 1" and "White Noise 2," and I wouldn't be able to distinguish the difference.

Okay, perhaps I'm being too harsh. "Libra" was actually quite enjoyable and had characters who did more than just eat cereal.

Possibly, it was an inopportune time for the book. Maybe there wasn't enough reading experience. However, currently, it's not mine.

Perhaps the circumstances surrounding the book's release were not favorable. It could be that the intended audience didn't have the necessary background knowledge or literary skills to fully appreciate it.

Nevertheless, at this moment, the book doesn't belong to me. It may have passed through my hands, but it has its own journey and destiny.

Maybe in the future, the right person will come along and discover the hidden gems within its pages. Or perhaps it will remain a mystery, waiting for the perfect moment to shine.

For now, all I can do is let it go and move on to other literary adventures. Who knows what new discoveries and experiences await me?

This book offers a profound exploration of the experience of loss and grief that follows the death of a spouse.

It commences with a seemingly ordinary day in the kitchen, vividly detailing what could potentially be the last breakfast shared by the couple, Lauren and Rey, before his untimely passing. After that fateful event, Lauren retreats to the house they once shared, which is situated in a remote location. This causes her friends to grow increasingly concerned.

The book is characterized by its quiet and reflective nature, clearly not being driven by a traditional plot. The writing is of an elegant caliber, drawing the reader in and holding their attention.

As the story unfolds, the reader will encounter an enigmatic character. It remains ambiguous whether this character is a real person or merely a figment of Lauren's imagination. Despite communication issues, this character plays a significant role in helping Lauren work through her complex feelings regarding Rey's death.

Lauren ingeniously incorporates the essence of her recent experiences at the house into one of her performances, as she is the titular body artist. In conclusion, each reader is likely to find something unique and personal to take away from this remarkable book.

What the heck did I just read?

Well, initially, I was completely flabbergasted. I had thought this would be about a divorce and a woman grappling with her emotions thereafter. Boy, was I way off base.

I was truly disturbed while perusing this. Maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea, but the main character was not only perplexing but also极其weird with the person who showed up at her house.

I had to go back and reread several pages because I thought I was misreading everything and jumbling up the words since the plot was just so outlandish.

The description of everything was indeed very detailed, and that was still somewhat interesting. However, the focus was, wow, extremely confusing. Like seriously, did I really need to know every single detail of what it's like to scrub your filthy feet until the dead skin flakes off? No, I most certainly did not.

The ending was decent, and I liked how the artwork at the end was inspired by the things she had endured. But no, she definitely needs some serious help.

The things she did to the boy were revolting, and I was left scratching my head as to how there were no consequences for any of it.

A truly remarkable and in-depth meditation on the macabre triad of grief, bereavement, and mourning. This piece delves deep into the complex emotions and experiences associated with these profound aspects of human existence. It explores the various stages of grief, the pain of losing a loved one, and the process of mourning. The author's words are both powerful and poignant, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding in the reader.

After a second read, I am compelled to give this work 5 stars. It is that good. The more I engage with it, the more I discover its hidden depths and the greater its impact on me. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading, making you reflect on your own experiences of loss and grief.

Whether you have recently experienced the loss of a loved one or are simply interested in exploring the human condition, this meditation on grief, bereavement, and mourning is a must-read. It is a beautifully written and thought-provoking work that will touch your heart and soul.

**The Body Artist: A Deep Dive into Grief, Reality, and the Power of Art**

The story of "The Body Artist" begins with a seemingly ordinary scene of a couple having breakfast. However, this mundane event is stretched and detailed, revealing a world of beauty and emotion. The narrative then takes a shocking turn with the disclosure of the husband's suicide, leaving the wife, Lauren, to cope with the loss. The rest of the story explores how Lauren deals with her grief, both physically and emotionally.

Is reality too powerful for you?

This question lies at the heart of the story. We often struggle to come to terms with the harsh realities of life, such as death and loss. In "The Body Artist," we see how Lauren is forced to confront the reality of her husband's death and how it affects her sense of self and her relationship with the world around her.

The author, Don DeLillo, uses a variety of techniques to explore these themes. One of the most effective is his use of language. The prose is tightly woven and condensed, with each word carefully chosen to convey the exact emotion or idea. This makes the reading experience both challenging and rewarding, as the reader must pay close attention to every word to fully understand the story.

Another interesting aspect of the story is the role of art. Lauren is a body artist, and she uses her art as a way to express her grief and to come to terms with her new reality. Through her art, she is able to transform herself and to create a new identity for herself. This shows how art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.

Overall, "The Body Artist" is a profound and thought-provoking novel that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in literature, philosophy, or psychology. Highly recommended.

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