Mao II

Rating:
Summary: Madness of crowds, and men who manipulate them.
Review: "Mao II" (1991), by Don DeLillo (b. 1936), is the story of Bill Gray, a reclusive novelist. He lives off royalties, supporting Scott, a live-in secretary, and Karen, a young lady with whom both men have a comfortable relationship. Bill is a hermit, supposedly working on a new book, but never appears in public or contacts anyone. Scott is his household helper, but also cajoles him when he gets lazy. Karen is a credulous and sensitive person who was a Moonie in the past, and finds individual life difficult.

Bill's agent tells him he has been asked to meet a terrorist group in Beirut, which has taken a hostage. He is to read a statement of support, at a London press conference, and the hostage will be released. He goes to London, but after some difficulties, steals away to Cyprus, unbeknownst to his agent, or to Scott and Karen. He accompanies a sympathizer of the Maoist group, hoping to meet the leader himself, perhaps in Beirut.

Will he make it to Beirut? Will he return to America? Will he meet the terrorists? Will he free the hostage, or will he be taken hostage himself? The book will answer these questions eventually, but more interesting are the deeper challenges DeLillo poses. He makes much of Chairman Mao throughout the book. In London and Cyprus, Bill speaks at length with the terror group's sympathizer, arguing over the nature of terrorism, socialism, totalitarianism, and other such matters. DeLillo discusses such organizations as the Shining Path, such world leaders as Khomeini (who died in 1989), and such events as the Tiananmen Square massacres (which occured in 1989).

DeLillo seems to ask, what makes a leader? What makes a follower? Why is Karen so credulous? Will she get caught by another cult? Is Scott a leader, perhaps a frustrated one? Why is Bill interested in these matters? Why is a terrorist leader interested in him? Does Bill remain an outsider just so he won't get inadvertently influenced by society's inevitable groupings?

Like a contemporary artist, DeLillo doesn't provide a didactic guide, but a curious exploration. He studies crowd behavior and credulity, as well as those (always men?) who manipulate others, or perhaps only superficially attempt it. Most remarkable that he addressed an issue in 1989 which is so relevant today, post-9/11, before Saddam Hussein, another manipulator, became such a household name. DeLillo remains artistically neutral, but seems to have more sympathy for freedom and individuality than group behavior, even though he understands the reasons for the latter. The reader may decide for themself.

The prose is lively. The dialog is interesting and idiomatic, if awkward at times, but most often clever. The tone is hustling and bustling, scrambled and chaotic, and contrasted with the literary seclusion of the countryside. This book is recommended for anyone who enjoys contemporary American fiction, or wants to reflect on the nature of crowd behavior, manipulative leaders, or terrorism. It will engage the curious reader and provoke them to thought.

Rating:
Summary: a non-cult classic
Review: a salinger-esqu writer, an ex-cult member, and the most talented assistant of all time are the residents of a house in the middle of no where. coming into this abode is a photographer, and her presence brings about remarkable changes. mao II is a fantastic look into the life of a writer and a thoroughly enjoyable read, unless, of course, if you're in a cult, in which case it's the best book you'll read, ever.

Rating:
Summary: a non-cult classic
Review: a salinger-esqu writer, an ex-cult member, and the most talented assistant of all time are the residents of a house in the middle of no where. coming into this abode is a photographer, and her presence brings about remarkable changes. mao II is a fantastic look into the life of a writer and a thoroughly enjoyable read, unless, of course, if you're in a cult, in which case it's the best book you'll read, ever.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly executed.
Review: Delillo definitely has some very intriguing ideas, and he certainly has a valid take on the late twentieth century, but for all practical purposes he just simply can't write. He seems to have all these great ideas floating around, and some of them are pretty great, but his ability to effectively convey them are hindered by a writing style that is quite impotent. Maybe he should pick up something by Hemmingway.Because all of his great ideas are being spoiled by silly to just plain awful writing.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Awesome.
Review: Delillo focuses on perception - how we view the world, how a writer having his picture taken is completely profound, and how the promulgation of images is a powerful phenomena of our world. I have read White Noise, and Mao II, and loved them both. Don Delillo, in my opinion, will go down as the premiere American author of our time.

Rating:
Summary: The Pen-Faulkner Award?
Review: DeLillo has done much better than this. It is difficult to care about characters that sound identical to each other, with no redeeming qualities or unique identities of their own. At times DeLillo presents wonderful images and prose, but the bulk of this book features rambling prose and pointless dialogue. One wonders if DeLillo is writing to the public or for himself.

Without question, I will continue to read DeLillo. He has much to say and one of the best writers we have, but readers new to DeLillo would do well to read "Underworld" and "White Noise" and avoid "Mao II."

Rating:
Summary: Run for your life
Review: DeLillo has ripped off Andy Warhol. This book is the perfect example of how many writers today lack imagination and originality. DeLillo steals Warhol's ideas to add interest and depth to his drab and boring story. The characters of Bill, Brita and Karen are perhaps some of the worst I've ever read about. Some advice, leave Mao hanging in the art institute of Chicago.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliance
Review: DeLillo takes advantage of his brilliant style of writing by with explaining a numerous of faults in our society and others, while still expressing his personal views on writers and other people.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliance
Review: DeLillo's opening scene of Mao II starts us out with a mass marriage of Korean men to American Women all under the random whim of Reverend Moon. The book dives off from there and explores themes, the insularity of the writer's life, self-imposed imprisonment, breaking free from said imprisonment, and the losing of the self to a selfless and ominous collective. DeLillo, as always, captures whatever he turns his ingenious eye towards with intellectual banter, probing literary probity, and beautiful language.

For what this book lacks on plot and characterization, it makes up for it on ideals and writing style. I marvel at the words this man comes up with. With that said, by now, you may have deduced I'm a fan. And though I'd admire the writing of this book, I would also add that this one has been my least favorite of his book to date (though I'm only halfway through "The Body Artist" and I fully expect that to take bottom billing). I would point you toward "White Noise", "Underworld", or "Libra" if you are new to DeLillo's works and are itching to dig in. Though if you are a fan of what can be done with language and don't need a novel driven by plot, don't short "Mao II."

Rating:
Summary: En Masse, En Vogue, Enter DeLillo
Review: DeLillo's opening scene of Mao II starts us out with a mass marriage of Korean men to American Women all under the random whim of Reverend Moon. The book dives off from there and explores themes, the insularity of the writer's life, self-imposed imprisonment, breaking free from said imprisonment, and the losing of the self to a selfless and ominous collective. DeLillo, as always, captures whatever he turns his ingenious eye towards with intellectual banter, probing literary probity, and beautiful language.

For what this book lacks on plot and characterization, it makes up for it on ideals and writing style. I marvel at the words this man comes up with. With that said, by now, you may have deduced I'm a fan. And though I'd admire the writing of this book, I would also add that this one has been my least favorite of his book to date (though I'm only halfway through "The Body Artist" and I fully expect that to take bottom billing). I would point you toward "White Noise", "Underworld", or "Libra" if you are new to DeLillo's works and are itching to dig in. Though if you are a fan of what can be done with language and don't need a novel driven by plot, don't short "Mao II."