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Managed to get this and Mao II and Players dirt cheap, so well pleased! Libra first.

That Trump would plan to disclose the last JFK assassination documents and then walked back on it and say "We'll talk about it again in 2021" made people wonder what else those documents could shed light on. Everyone reasonable, once presented with the facts, can only conclude that there was a conspiracy of some sort, only we don't know what happened. The truth might be so embarrassing for the the US government (i.e. LBJ being involved, which is absolutely possible and it's what Jaqueline Kennedy has always maintained) that it would be better for America's brand if it never came out.
Check out "JFK and the Unspeakable" if you want to read an open-minded, non-zealot-like analysis of the facts. I wrote a long review on that book which summarizes its main content.

So noted, Violet. Maybe this is where to begin again with DeLillo. I've not had luck in the past, as it seemed he and I were not speaking the same language (Literally. At one point I thought it might be better to read him in translation so I could Understand him.) : ) ... But, it's obviously "me" and not him.

This review is brilliant and makes me want to read this book -- not only for the topic, but to find out why you think he's the "most important living novelist". That got my attention because as I've been following your reviews for quite some time, I know you don't toss these accolades out lightly.

We're happiest when we feel we are in control of the plot.

So true! Fab review, Violet. I think you sold a copy of a book here.

Hi Julie, let me interject here to say, as someone who didn't know much about DeLillo until this year, I am currently finishing "White Noise" and - even based on that book alone - I would tend to agree with Violet and to understand her comment. I find that every page of White Noise has not only amazing creative genius, but also something profound to say at the same time.

the most important living novelist in my opinion

Wow - high praise, Violet, and I'm even more intrigued now. I've had this book for a while now and have yet to pick it up. For some reason, I've had it in my head that DeLillo is "difficult", so I've procrastinated seeing what he's all about. But now thanks to your excellent review, I'll push him up the line.

So did I begin with the wrong one then? I read Underworld. In fact, I read it twice, because I felt disappointed in my inability to appreciate it. Like Julie above, I felt he didn't speak my language.
Are important writers the ones that make you feel uncomfortable?

Tom LA wrote: "That Trump would plan to disclose the last JFK assassination documents and then walked back on it and say "We'll talk about it again in 2021" made people wonder what else those documents could shed..."

I doubt if there's anything in those documents that isn't already in circulation. And it's clearly not in the US's interests to make official that there was a conspiracy involved. For a start, it would make more than likely the same was true with the Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy assassinations. Either all three were lone nut jobs or all three were state sponsored killings.
I find the problem with all conspiracy theories is the mania to explain every single detail, as if this is ever possible. I read a book about the King assassination this year in which the author did a fabulous job of convincing me James Earl Ray was completely innocent but he then went on to implicate some of King's friends in the plot along with the government and finally had him being suffocated with a pillow in the hospital. The 9/11 conspiracy theory has a plane of passengers being cold bloodily murdered in some airport holding room. With JFK there's the idea his driver was part of the plot and deliberately slowed down after the first shot was fired. It's pretty hard to believe this guy knew he would be driving into the midst of a turkey shoot.

I read 3 books by DeLillo so far and I realized that I could not appreciate them if I approached them the way I approach most books, which is at a certain speed. Once I slowed down, I understood what his writing is about. Of course I also read a couple of interviews where he talks about his writing process, and that helped as well. As weird as it sounds, he is often more interested in crafting a single powerful sentence or paragraph rather than in the whole novel. Most critics consider Underworld to be his masterwork, but I intend to read through most - if not all - his work. That’s how passionately I’ve fallen in love with his writing.

Julie wrote: "So noted, Violet. Maybe this is where to begin again with DeLillo. I've not had luck in the past, as it seemed he and I were not speaking the same language (Literally. At one point I thought it mig..."

Thanks Julie. He's kind of a cold writer and I think some people have trouble connecting with him for that reason. I love how much craft he puts into almost every sentence. And how lucidly and eye-openingly he makes me see the hidden forces of the world we live in.

Julie wrote: "We're happiest when we feel we are in control of the plot.

So true! Fab review, Violet. I think you sold a copy of a book here."

Thanks Julie.

Robin wrote: "the most important living novelist in my opinion

Wow - high praise, Violet, and I'm even more intrigued now. I've had this book for a while now and have yet to pick it up. For some reason, I've ha..."

Thanks Robin. Hope you enjoy it! Loved your celebration of Updike's gifts.

·°­²¹°ù±ð²Ô· wrote: "So did I begin with the wrong one then? I read Underworld. In fact, I read it twice, because I felt disappointed in my inability to appreciate it. Like Julie above, I felt he didn't sp..."

I think Underworld is his masterpiece so I'm guessing you and him will probably never get on, Karen! Because of how highly mannered his prose is and how unemotional he is as a writer he's not to everyone's taste. The main reason I think he's the most important living writer is he makes me jealous of his sentences more often than any other writer!

Tom LA wrote: "I read 3 books by DeLillo so far and I realized that I could not appreciate them if I approached them the way I approach most books, which is at a certain speed. Once I slowed down, I understood wh..."

That's exactly what I most love about him, Tom - his sentence writing. You can tell his every sentence is like an individual painting to him and he applies all his craft to it.

Violet wrote: "Tom LA wrote: "That Trump would plan to disclose the last JFK assassination documents and then walked back on it and say "We'll talk about it again in 2021" made people wonder what else those docum..."

That's right, Violet. You're making really great points here. By the way, I will definitely read Libra soon!

Libra tells of an accidental conspiracy. Contradiction in terms, but likely..

Awesome! As I get closer to completing all his novels it's becoming more difficult to decide which one I think is my fave. Could make a good case for three or four of them, this being one of them - and I still have Underworld to read. Can you see yourself reading his new one 'Silence'? Doesn't surprise me it's only a slim novel, as I don't think he's got another doorstopper in him now at his age. Would love to see a memoir though.

Paolo wrote: "Libra tells of an accidental conspiracy. Contradiction in terms, but likely.."

Yep, and DeLillo with his masterful depiction of character offers a very credible thesis that Oswald bore some guilt, not the case in Oliver Stone's film.

Steven wrote: "Awesome! As I get closer to completing all his novels it's becoming more difficult to decide which one I think is my fave. Could make a good case for three or four of them, this being one of them -..."

Thanks Steven. I think of him more as a writer than a novelist so it's hard to choose a favourite. It's his writing I love rather than what he does with the novel. Silence arrived the other day. Good thing is, my expectations are pretty modest. I know his best days are over.

Violet , a fantastic review. Thoughtful and thought provoking.

Angela M wrote: "Violet , a fantastic review. Thoughtful and thought provoking."

Thanks Angela.

Violet, this is a fantastic review. I almost skipped it b/c I decided I’m not a fan of DeLillo after one book, but this sounds good. I love your thoughts about how plot plays in our lives. It made me think of attunement and the way orchestras blend.

Jennifer wrote: "Violet, this is a fantastic review. I almost skipped it b/c I decided I’m not a fan of DeLillo after one book, but this sounds good. I love your thoughts about how plot plays in our lives. It made ..."

Thanks Jennifer. Great simile. When things go well it is like our actions are prompted by an orchestral score.

A 5 star review Violet. I really like that you suggested this as a Delillo book to start with, as I wasn't sure. Thank you. I don't really need another book to start on, but guess what.

John of Canada wrote: "A 5 star review Violet. I really like that you suggested this as a Delillo book to start with, as I wasn't sure. Thank you. I don't really need another book to start on, but guess what."

Thanks John. Yep, I think it's the most accessible of his novels and gives a clear idea of whether or not he's to your taste as a novelist.

Violet I was just looking at this book sitting on my shelf…�. Actually I’ve been glancing at it for days. It catches my eye like a prism. Then your review appear. All signs pointing to finally cracking the spine of LIBRA.

I have always deliberately stayed away from all the JFK conspiracy theory books, but your review is so interesting! Ordered it already.

Wow this is an absolutely amazing piece of literary scholarship and legitimately made me appreciate the book even more.

That first paragraph was so on the money and reminded me of a quote from the book: “A fact is innocent until someone wants it; then it become intelligence"

banger of a review.

First off, I want to say that your reviews are consistently excellent. While no review is flawless, and I certainly understand that there might be nuances or personal perspectives woven in, I appreciate the way you dive deep into the material. I especially liked your analysis of Don DeLillo, calling him "the most important living novelist." It’s a spot-on assessment. Your take on DeLillo's portrayal of Oswald was also strong. However, I’m a bit puzzled by your final takeaway on whether Oswald was the shooter or a patsy, as he claimed. I got the distinct sense that DeLillo was using poetic license to dismantle the official narrative. In my opinion, he was wryly suggesting that Oswald was indeed the patsy, as he’d claimed—not a conspiratorial hero, but a pawn caught in a larger web of deceit.

In any case, we all bring our own interpretations to the table, and that’s part of the beauty of literature. What really drew me back to your review today was the recent release of 60,000 JFK-related files by the government. While they’ve promised 83,000 in total, there’s still no definitive conclusion about who was behind the assassination. What’s glaringly obvious, though, is that the official narrative has been thoroughly debunked. We’re now facing a mountain of evidence pointing to CIA involvement, the Mafia, and even foreign governments like Israel. It’s all there, clear as day.

As for Loose Change—while it offered an interesting perspective on 9/11, it feels more like surface-level research compared to the deep dive undertaken by Alaska University's Engineering School and the thousands of architects and engineers who support Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth. Their work, backed by rigorous analysis, proves beyond doubt that WTC 1, 2, and 7 were brought down by controlled demolition. The question of who had the means and motive is left for us to consider.

Thanks again for sharing your insights. I always appreciate a review that makes me think deeper.