White Noise: Text and Criticism (Viking Critical Library)

Rating:
Summary: strangely a classic
Review: Don Delillo, author of White Noise, wrote a classic with this book. A story about a family consumed with fear of death didn't seem like one I wanted to read, but when you get into the story, you begin to like it more and more. The book is filled with humorous events and a glimpse into what people really make of the world. The characters in the book look way into simple things like grocery shopping and television. They are always thinking that the other is more afraid, constantly arguing over it without any real knowledge. The book is an easy read, and one that will keep your interest. This book is considered a satire of consumerism and technology in america, and it definately is. The characters take each of these into depth, always giving you something to look at. After reading this book, you will question your motives somewhat when you go out, either to the movies, to eat or go shopping. I truly enjoyed this book and would reccomend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Finally
Review: Finally an enjoyable book. This book introduced me to a new twist on American thinking. I never knew about the little things that American families worried about. White Noise explicates how a "normal" family is perceived, and what really goes on in the home. I never realized that a man would change the way he dresses just because of the job that he holds. This is what Jack did, He was a professor of Hitler studies at the college. He would wear eye glasses and a robe to make himself look the part. DeLillo's characters are an excellent pick. For example, the way he made the oldest son always argue with his father was hilarious. The hilarity in this book kept me wanting to read more.
Also, I never realized the obsession that Americans have with death. Especially back then, if some sort of a doctor or anyone really for that fact, told a person that they were going to die, they believed them. Now we get second and third opinions from doctors to make sure they are accurate. This wasn't so in this book. As soon as someone told Jack (the main character) that he was going to die, he believed him.
Overall I believe this book was very entertaining. I never wanted to put it down, and for me that is very important when deciding which book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Things are not always what they seem
Review: I found "White Noise" very entertaining. It was a twist on what goes on in the average family. DeLillo does a fantastic job of creating the atmosphere of normality and contrasts it with what really goes on behind the scenes of the Gladney family. Consumerism, death, and oddly enough, humor play a huge part in the novel. It was humorous to read the conversations of the family members and picture the way they interacted. DeLillo is very insightful of the regular occurrences that take place in a family. He puts a twist on going to the grocery store and watching a burning building. He depicts what many people in American society deny today about buying material things and what they really mean to us. I favored this novel because it was not difficult to understand and the themes of the novel were easy to pick out. The criticisms tend to be a bit more difficult to get through although the Duvall essay to be quite interesting and insightful. Duvall takes specific passages and analyzes them to bring out another point of view other than the readers. I would recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates a new perspective on things.

Rating:
Summary: Get this edition!
Review: I've sometimes asked myself why I don't get a library card and save the money I spend buying books. This book answered that question, because the reviews and essays featured in this edition provided such insight and enlightenment that I was inspired to return to the novel again and again for a more penetrating read.

The novel itself is beautifully, brilliantly written; DeLillo is a master ironist. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the novel the first time, I highly recommend revisiting it after reading the critical essays (which were so informative that they were quite enjoyable reads themselves).

If you're going to read White Noise outside of a college class, this is the edition you should get.


Rating:
Summary: White Noise
Review: Many peole do not look at their culture and find it humorous. However, DeLillo is able to do this, and quite well. Writing about a college professor, his wonderful wife(who takes an odd turn halfway through the novel)and his many children from different marriages(some are hers too). DeLillo is able to take all of this mans' problems and laugh at them. Don't get me wrong, this is not a completely comic novel. Being able about to make light of some crazy situations though makes this novel enjoyable, and for that, I recomment it!

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: The book was very easy to read and understand. The main themes of the book were easy to find, you didn't have to think to hard to figure out what they were. All of the conversations that Jack and Babette had dealing with death were quite humorous to read. The book is basically about a suburban family trying to come up with ways to cure there fear of death. They do this by trying multiple products bought from the supermarket. The supermarket was used as a critcism of American society. It criticized the way that people think, as well as the way that people act. I loved reading this book and would definately recommend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Should we be laughing?
Review: This book has a very humorous touch to it, while questioning our culture. The book is the story of a typical family, living in this commercialistic society. It shows that our lives' are based on what the media tells us. It's strange that a book that questions so much about the way we live can also be comedic, but it does so very nicely. Why? Because Don DeLillo is a genius. He does not act as though the concepts he writes about are very important. His humor is comparable to those of us who can't stop laughing at funerals, or roar when someone trips and falls. This book is indeed a trip!

Rating:
Summary: Witty
Review: This book was required reading in my college literature class at Auburn University. I enjoyed this book more than any of the other books required (Jane Eyre, Madame Bovary, Gulliver's Travels, etc). This book gave excellent descriptions and amazing character development. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great novel for English classes
Review: White Noise by Don Delillo was a book that should be read by all ages. It's basic concepts that were brought out were the acts of consumerism and death. There was also some sex involved in there too. As you can see, a perfect book for the growing college student. I also liked how Delillo brought in some humorous moments when they were during his grocery shopping and watching television. This novel basically describes the typical American family and shows how this family is just as normal as the rest of us, but shows the side we never really see. I particularly like how Delillo displays Jack as this bizarre man who really focuses on death. He can't help but think about it. I really liked him in this novel because he reminds me of myself as I walk around and think "outside the box" if you know what I mean. This book constantly made me laugh, especially when the father fights with his son. That whole argument is hysterical! The book throws some good twists to American society that most of us never see. My basic thoughts on this novel are that you should read this because it will really make you laugh, and make you think about your typical day of work and life.

Rating:
Summary: A voice from the radio says "Read This Book!"
Review: White Noise is quite possibly the most enjoyable book I've ever read. Don DeLillo creates a humorous account of a middle-aged man (Jack Gladney) obsessed with death and its inevitability. In his writing, DeLillo suggests that Americans use consumerism as a way of warding of death, which is one of the novels running themes. The characters in the novel are oddly outrageous with their fanatic conversations about the recollection of trivial things like "Where were you the first time you brushed your teeth with your finger?" or "Where were you when James Dean died?" The dialogue throughout the novel is brilliant and at one point, a father-son conversation about rain coaxes the reader into questioning the validity of his or her own senses. The novel also shows how people are infatuated by televised disastrous events. White Noise reads like a demented sitcom, full of dark comedy, and unique neurotic characters that keep you entertained and interested through its entirety. If you enjoy comical and creative writing, then read this book!