Underworld

Questions About Underworld

by Don DeLillo

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Answered Questions (5)

What is this book about? I haven't read much of it but I have no idea.
Byron Forney I think of it in terms of Grapes of Wrath being about the first half of the 20th Cent. in regarding migration, take over of land and farming by big co…moreI think of it in terms of Grapes of Wrath being about the first half of the 20th Cent. in regarding migration, take over of land and farming by big corps. and the general reconstruction and relocation of American society and culture from a farming and agricultural society to the coming of a manufacturing society. Underworld is about the second half being the "cold war" society which has resulted from the same need for the accumulation power but done rather than through farming, through manufacturing all held together by the one thing we refuse to surrender, baseball used as metaphor. Remember, the core of the nuclear warhead is the exact same size as a baseball. I see the two stories back to back as the "story" of the 20th Cent.(less)
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Appropriate for a mature 15-year-old reader? How much sexual content/violence is there?
Jeff Absolutely appropriate. The sex is nothing major or graphic, and their is barely any violence throughout. I am not sure how many of the references a 1…moreAbsolutely appropriate. The sex is nothing major or graphic, and their is barely any violence throughout. I am not sure how many of the references a 15 year old will get, but I would let my niece read it and she just turned 16.(less)
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Is there any evidence that Frank Sinatra, Toots Shor, Jackie Gleason and J. Edgar Hoover really ever attended a baseball, game together?
Sara Berardi Hi! I've followed a literary course at university that was completely dedicated to DeLillo. DeLillo himself talks about this in an interview, saying t…moreHi! I've followed a literary course at university that was completely dedicated to DeLillo. DeLillo himself talks about this in an interview, saying that during some researches for the novel he actually came across documents stating that this group of people went to the baseball games together. Allegedly Edgar Hoover really enjoyed surrounding himself with celebrities because he felt excited knowing their secrets and having access to their files (being in the fbi). I'll send you the interview if I find it. (less)
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Did anyone else feel overwhelmingly bored by the prologue? I liked White Noise, but I really can't bring myself to feel much of anything about baseball and 1930s celebrities.
Alan No. The only reason I’m adding more words to this answer is because Goodreads asked me to do so.
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If I didn't like WN would it be a waste of time to even trying reading this? My biggest grips with WN was that very little actually happens, most of the dialog is overtly philosophical constantly with every single character seeming to be a philosopher for some reason, and just overall feeling kind of boring and pointless. Does Underworld have a plot? Are all of the characters scholars for some reason? Thanks.
Glenn Carmichael Hi, Evan.
In my opinion 'Underworld' doesn't really have a plot. It felt like a kind of pseudo-plot that 's written to make ordinary people feel a bit …moreHi, Evan.
In my opinion 'Underworld' doesn't really have a plot. It felt like a kind of pseudo-plot that 's written to make ordinary people feel a bit stupid.
However, I can really recommend 'Point Omega'. It is short and it doesn't have a plot that can be pinned down - but it is precise and modern, and if you just roll with it, it is deeply thought-provoking, like poetry.(less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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