One sentence summary
Underworld by Don DeLillo is a postmodern novel that weaves together multiple storylines spanning several decades, exploring themes of loss, identity, and the impact of modern American culture.
Book genre
Postmodern Fiction
Main topic of the book
The main topic of Underworld is the impact of American culture on individuals and society, and the search for identity and meaning in a chaotic and rapidly changing world.
Key ideas
- The interconnectedness of all things, as demonstrated through the various storylines and characters in the novel
- The destructive nature of consumerism and the American obsession with material possessions
- The loss of innocence and the disillusionment of the American Dream
- The effects of war and violence on individuals and society
- The struggle to find meaning and purpose amidst the chaos of modern life
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Prologue – The novel opens with the famous 1951 baseball game between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, known as the ‘Shot Heard Round the World’. This event serves as a metaphor for the main themes of the book.
- Part 1 – The first part of the book, titled “The Triumph of Death”, follows the journey of waste management executive Nick Shay as he reminisces about his childhood in the Bronx and his involvement with the Cold War and nuclear arms race.
- Part 2 – Titled “Hammer and Sickle”, this section focuses on the relationship between artist Klara Sax and radio executive Marvin Lundy, and their involvement in the rise of consumerism and the art world in 1960s America.
- Part 3 – In “The Cloud Jewels”, the novel shifts to the perspective of Cotter Martin, a teenage graffiti artist, and his search for identity and belonging in the chaotic streets of the Bronx in the 1970s.
- Part 4 – The final section, “Bicycles, Muscles, Cigarettes” brings all the characters and storylines together for a grand finale, where the impact and legacy of the characters’ actions are revealed.
Key takeaways
- The damaging effects of consumerism and society’s obsession with material possessions
- The interconnectedness of seemingly unrelated events and people
- The struggle to find identity and meaning in a rapidly changing world
- The lasting impact of personal and societal choices
Author’s background and qualifications
Don DeLillo is an American author known for his postmodern and satirical works. He was born and raised in New York City, which serves as the setting for many of his novels. DeLillo has won numerous awards for his writing, including the National Book Award for his novel ‘White Noise’ and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for ‘Mao II’. He is highly regarded for his distinctive writing style and the themes he explores in his works.
Target audience
Underworld is a complex and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to readers looking for a deeper exploration of modern American culture and its effects on individuals and society. It will also be of interest to those who enjoy postmodern fiction and non-linear storytelling.
Publisher and first publication date
Underworld was published by Scribner on October 3, 1997.