Due to my general malaise, and unforseen computer problems, I am a shameful and unprecedent five books behind in posting. Mea Culpa._____________________
Libra is Don DeLillo's take on the Kennedy assassination, and the life of Lee Harvey Oswald. DeLillo recounts Oswald's (fictionalized) life story, focusing on significant life events that impact his tragic choices and mythical end. DeLillo is so gentle with Oswald--revealing him to be idealistic and well-intentioned, albeit seriously misguided and somewhat dim--that I developed a great deal of sympathy for him. A parallel plot involves the role of the CIA in recruiting and directing Oswald. This is interesting as a theory, but because stories of CIA intrigue aren't really my thing, those parts dragged for me. But, DeLillo is an amazing writer, one of the best, and his unique descriptive voice enlivens this legendary piece of American history. The pages describing the assassination are excruciatingly beautiful and haunting, and they stayed with me for days.
0 comments:
Post a Comment