Underworld by Don DeLillo

A review of this novel could be very, very long if one tried to summarize the plot lines, because so many stories are told, in bits and pieces. Even an overview of the many astute observations about the human condition and about America in the Cold War years (1951-1992)could take thousands of review words.

On the other hand, a review could be very short if one just summarized the overriding impact: here is what it was like to live during these times in these places in America. Reported in gorgeous language. In page-turning style.

DeLillo begins with a 60-page immersive description of a famous baseball game played in 1951. The winning home run was dubbed by the press as "The Shot Heard Round the World." Ironically, on the same day, the Soviets tested their first nuclear bomb,in effect beginning the Cold War.

The author then jumps to 1992, and introduces his main character, by then a 57-year-old man. From this section the novel travels backwards in time, introducing multiple connected characters and plot lines. Some stories reach a revelation and some are left hanging, but taken together, they form a pattern. This is hard for a reviewer to convey, and how much harder to accomplish. But DeLillo did it in fine style.

Good things: The dialogues are amazing, with people talking at cross purposes, as they usually do (being focused on themselves). Somehow, DeLillo manages to maintain reader interest, although the structure of the novel is non-linear and fragmented.

Criticisms: The book is too long (827 in paperback). Some portions grow repetitive and could have been shortened to good effect. I seriously considered putting it down several times, but somehow I couldn't. (I guess maybe that's on the "good things" side.) Also, the observations pertain overwhelmingly to New York City and its citizens. As a reader who grew up and grew old during these times, my experience was much different, so I guess I felt left out somehow. Realistically, however, I realize that DeLillo couldn't report about every region.

This is a book about hope, danger, fear, miracles, and garbage. What more could you ask?

(P.S. It reminds me very much of Doctorow's Ragtime.)