Underworld is a masterpiece of fiction. DeLillo is a true savant of his craft. Line-by-line, Underworld unfolds as one of the greatest labors of literature of the last 100 years. This book belongs on every "best of" list from past, present, and future.

" You withhold the deepest things from those who are closest and then talk to a stranger in a numbered room. What's the point of asking why? Guilt later in Phoenix, where I could evade vexing questions in the daily wheel of work./ I was the juniormost fellow with the fixed smile. There was a spirit of generous welcome, the spirit of one-of-us and how-many-kids and let's- have-lunch. I wanted to be bound to the company. I felt complicit with some unspoken function of the corporation. I stayed late and worked weekends. I corrected my foot-drag step. I heard my own voice and saw my smile and earned an office at the end of the hall, where i wore a crisp gray suit and grew stronger by the day."

Un roman absolument fascinant : une structure narrative des plus envoûtantes.

Would also make sense if the chapters were read in reverse order. The book feels like it starts at the ending. Deceivingly simple. I was able to keep the characters straight in my head mostly although there is some intricate weaving of characters over a long time-span. It's quite a long read and can get a little vague in some places where chapters are really jumping around but it all feels intentional as part of the story.

An incredibly lush, dense, breathtaking book - like a movie rolling out in front of your eyes. Jumping from the 1950's to the 1990's - more characters than you can really keep up with without drawing out a 6 degrees of separation map to guide you... Sad and poignant and hopeful... An amazing read!

Finalist 1998 Pulitzer prize.