Great Jones Street by Don DeLillo 🎸 🔪 (celebrity and the danger of postmodern whimsy)

A discussion with readings from DeLillo’s third novel, published in 1973.
Recommended if you like:
Libra by Don DeLillo, my discussion: • Libra by Don DeLillo (...
Running Dog by Don DeLillo
Mao II by Don DeLillo
The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon
Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon
The Big Lebowski
The music of Bob Dylan, particularly the Basement Tapes
#booktube
#dondelillo

[@derekmainereads]

Just finished. Thanks for the excellent video

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Glad you enjoyed it. What did you think of Great Jones? Cheers, Jack

[@derekmainereads]

Really, really enjoyed it. But I’m very weird with DeLilo. I love Libra, half of Mao II, and The Names (and even Cosmopolis, in fact quite a lot), but on two reads of White Noise I’ve been left disappointed. Loved the writing in some sections so much (Chapter 10, Opel). I’m tackling The Underworld next, planning to savor.

[@angusorvid8840]

I remember reading this when I got into his work via White Noise. I went through his whole catalog and loved it all. I found his first novel, Americana, much more of a travelogue in novel form. Great Jones Street is the first true DeLillo novel, where he found his voice. A great meditation on fame. Ratner's Star is definitely a trip into Pynchon territory. Players and Running Dog are what I'd call DeLillo in thriller mode, and they are terrific works. The Names is one of his great idea novels with its themes of language and terrorism, Americans overseas, history clashing with the modern age, etc. By the time he got to setting down the bones for White Noise he was an absolute master. There's one book I glossed over here, regarding his early canon, and that's End Zone, a book I really love, which uses nuclear war as metaphor and has some of the funniest physical character descriptions ever put to paper. But End Zone feels more like an exercise than a fire breathing dragon of a book like The Names or White Noise. The only reason I came across White Noise is because my grandparents owned a bookstore and they had a copy on the shelf, so I asked them if I could have it and they obliged as they always did. I was about thirteen or fourteen when I first read White Noise and I've read it several times since, including twice as an English major for a class on postmodern lit and another called Suburban Angst in Contemporary American Lit.

[@BookishTexan]

This was fascinating. Have you thought about a where to start/ where not to start Delilo video?

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Thanks, Brian. Reading this is part of my prep for that video. I have two more of his books that I’d like to read before feeling confident in making one. I am pretty certain with where I don’t think someone should start, but I want to check. Best, Jack

[@adobe4578]

Underrated novel

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

There is plenty to keep a reader interested! What’s your favorite DeLillo work, Patrick? Best, Jack

[@adobe4578]

@@ramblingraconteur1616 Tough question! Underworld is impossible to ignore and maybe it wins by default. But I share an affection for Running Dog as well.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

@@adobe4578 I’m a huge fan of Running Dog as well!

[@adobe4578]

@@ramblingraconteur1616 The one that I enjoy that doesn't seem to get much appreciation is Point Omega. I feel like it's often overlooked (maybe it's the slight page count)

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

@@adobe4578 I know a few folks who think it’s sort of a coda to Underworld. I enjoyed it much more than Cosmopolis, and as an extended metaphor I found it much stronger than End Zone.

[@SpringboardThought]

Where would you start with DeLillo out of Libra, Underworld, and White Noise? Great review as always. Interesting theme.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Thanks, Fraser. I would reserve Underworld for last among those. If a reader is really into US history, JFK, and conspiracy then I recommend Libra, but for most readers I recommend White Noise. I’m hoping to do a Where to Start with DeLillo video later this fall. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Best, Jack

[@SpringboardThought]

@@ramblingraconteur1616 thanks a lot, and you too!

[@davidhall8656]

Havent read any delillo. But am a dylan fan. Not my favorite version of either, but my favorite songs on the basement tapes are probably you ain't going nowhere and tears of rage. Do you have a favorite Dylan album? Mine is probably new morning.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Those are some great songs, David. I suspect my favorite version of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” is the Byrds’ cover. My favorite Dylan album is Blood on the Tracks, but I really like Bringing it all back Home. The Another Self Portrait bootleg was also a revelation. I hope this week has been going well for you. Best, Jack