[past] four DeLillo offerings I have devoured and one Pynchon novel I abandoned after 40 pages
Submitted by Nick Vane on Mon, 09/16/2002 - 02:40
Tags:
- White Noise
- Underworld
- The Names
- Valparaiso (play)
- Gravity's Rainbow
Author Comments:
well, the library wanted the Pynchon book back, but that doesn't excuse the fact that I had it for three weeks and made nary a dent in it. I'll take another stab once I complete my post-modernist fantasy camp.
But DeLillo! His books ARE America to me.
Gravity's Rainbow took me 3-4 tries, but I finally did get into it and found it worth reading.
Of the DeLillo books you have listed I've only read one (White Noise). I've read 4 others of his though and the only one I haven't liked was The Body Artist
hmm. Haven't read "The Body Artist". didn't that one come out in 1997 or something like that? I highly recommend "White Noise", but since you've read so much DeLillo, I'm sure you already know it's good. My friend and I named our semi-fictional band "The White Noises" in homage to it... God save us all...
Within the last few years, yes. It just didn't ever grab my attention enough to enjoy it.
Underworld is waiting to be read, but I
haven't gotten there yet.
excellent. i tore through it on a family reunion. he's operating on a transcedent level here.
There's a compendium available for Gravity's Rainbow, titled, naturally, "A Gravity's Rainbow Companion". It's a thorough analysis of all the references, scientific data, history and bad jokes that make up Pynchon's work. Worth having along side if you're having difficulty finish the book.
that's an excellent idea. every time I pick GR up, I want to learn in-depth about everything Pynchon references... not a time-efficient goal, but a companion might be the ticket. thank ye.
Alternatively, if you can get past about page 100 you might just get sucked in and not worry as much about every little thing that flies over your head ;)
heh. thanks.
Stick with it, Nick. Yeah, "Gravity's Rainbow" is a difficult read, but it's also very rewarding. I remember feeling like I'd just been let into a wonderful secret world once I finished it...three and a half months after I started it!
me like secrets.
I just finished re-reading "White Noise" and it's occured to me that, with the right director and screenwriter, this beautiful novel would make a terrific film. I dunno, maybe someone like PT Anderson, he of "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia" fame could make sense of Jack Gladney's slightly off-kilter observations. Or maybe Robert Altman. I just hope the studios can avoid casting Kevin Spacey as Jack; he's begun to fill in that middle-aged man-in-crisis acting void incessantly lately.
oh, you're spot on. I think it could be a warm absurdist drama. Jack would need to be a fairly big guy. I wonder... Patrick Warburton has too many dumb-jock roles under his breath to render him ineffective. Plus, didn't Jack have a beard? I can't see Paddy in a beard.
As much as I don't want to admit it, I think Russell Crowe could pull it off.
Jack Gladney is bearded and middle-aged pudgy (not fat), so, yeah, Crowe might work, considering in the past he's been willing to immerse himself both psychologically and physically into a role. I was thinking along the lines of someone like Jeff Bridges; someone who could be scholarly and possess the quiet desperation and off-the-wall observant humor which makes Jack such a memorable character.
Patrick Warburton? I'm still trying to forget he was "The Tick", but morbidly, he could make a good Murray.
Oh, and as ubiquitous as he is, dontcha think that Haley Joel Osment kid would make a fine Heinrich?
I shoulda been a casting director!
oy. Osment could work indeed, at least from sheer momentum. If only Jason Schwartzman were young again. Or if the kid from Signs were older.
Not sure about Daniels. he could be low-key enough, but I don't know if he can pull off the mordant quality of some of Jack's conversations, internal and otherwise. Plus, he's not physically imposing, at least to me, and I know that part of Jack Gladney's image comes from how others see him as big, sturdy.
I see Murray as a Judd Hirsch or a Steve Buscemi type. Not literally either of those, but someone ingratiating and nervous. Hmm.
Actually, it's Jeff Bridges, not Jeff Daniels. Anyone who ever agreed to star in "Dumb and Dumber" needs to have his career sunk into the toilet. Too bad, I really thought he was a good actor. Actually, for Murray, I was thinking of Oliver Platt. He tends to exhibit eccentricities in his roles that might make him perfect for Murray.
yeah, I don't know what I was smoking when i read "Daniels". Bridges yes in 2002. Good call, slipkid.
I think the only thing I've seen Platt in is "Ready to Rumble", as Jimmy King. ugh. But I trust yr judgment.
Y'know, I've been impressed with Tony Shalhoub in what few episodes of Monk I've seen. He has the versatility and eccentricity needed to pull the job off.
Tony Shalhoub...Ooooh! Great call! I've only caught a few episodes of "Monk", but he's versatile enough to be Murray.
We must make a call to our friends in Hollywood; this film must be made!
I'll get my giant shiny Rolodex and we'll be on our way.