Mao II: A Novel

This book explores a panopticon of themes, among them being Maoism, the phenomenon of the reclusive author, and the idea that the growing population of people in the world, collectively, are starting to have a large effect on how we as a society see individual identity. The book starts with Bill Gray, a reclusive author living in upstate New York, his assistant, Scott, who plays a large part in keeping Bill isolated in their shared house, and their relationship with Karen, a 24-year old convert to the Unification Church. The novel moves forward when Brita, a photographer, takes pictures of Bill, and carries to Bill a message from Bill’s old publisher. After hearing the message, Bill leaves and heads to London, where he plans to take part in a press conference, to help secure the release of a hostage being held by a terrorist group in Lebanon. Mao II is often categorized as a postmodern novel, and the denouement is where we see the trueness of this description. The press conference doesn’t happen, and it keeps getting postponed until it doesn’t happen at all. It seems that the terrorists win.I live in Southern China and find the undercurrent of Maoism in the book to be relevant today, even though the book was written over twenty years ago. The novel has multiple settings: the United States, London, and Cyprus, and this feature along with the Chinese influence gives the book a very worldly feel. We see Mao’s idea of the “People’s War” present when the book deals with terrorism, terrorists are resisting society at large both violently and ideologically, they aim not only to subvert the social order, but to change the culture at large. The iconic image of Mao Zedong hanging in Tiananmen Square is less about Mao’s personal identity, but more about the identity of China as a whole. DeLillo highlights that terror and art are in some kind of binary struggle, where writers, in modern society, are less important when it comes to shaping human consciousness. There is a scene in the book also where Karen is watching the funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini and the shit show that proceeds. Khomeini’s image, and dead corpse, definitively represent modern Iran, and people violate it and touch it because they want to be one with it. The scenes where the hostage in Lebanon, slowly losing his sanity in captivity, also reminded me of China’s transformation during the Cultural Revolution.I read somewhere that DeLillo took inspiration for Bill Gray from the life of J.D. Salinger. The author, in his recluse, becomes larger than life, and the mystery surrounding such an author gives hope to the masses. It is apparent in the book that Scott is holding Bill hostage in the house, as Scott knows that this effect is a force of good in the world (one that can fight against the terrorists). One also gets the idea that Scott does this because he wants to keep his idea of Bill pure in his own mind, even though this is done against Bill’s will. DeLillo, though he is dealing with a lot of material in this novel, writes with insight and with an imagination that is unmatched. Another segment in the book deals with Karen and her interactions with the homeless denizens of Tompkins Square Park in the early nineties. His description of the camp is nightmarish, hellish, and brutally honest. I highly recommend this book, the only other book from DeLillo that I have read is White Noise, but I can say I like this book a lot more.

This is a younger, cooler DeLillo than his more recent work. Personally I think it is his best book. It is in my mind the most creative of his work. It is incredible to see such a unique approach to writing. It is like reading a poem with its lyrical riffs but it has a plot that matters.The weakest facet of the book is that the dialogue often sounds false. Hearing DeLillo characters speak to each other is like listening to jazz -- not about exploring the realistic mind but the deeper surrealistic mind. These characters are bigger than reality. These particular people in this book have a charm that I don't think DeLillo ever again captured. This book is beautiful and about something that actually matters. While Creative Writing degrees muddle the pool of talent in much the same way that expansion teams in baseball lessened the overall talent on each MLB team, writing about something that matters to the world is quite an act of courage. It is wonderful to see a book that creates its own artistic terms and abides by them while sizzling the senses with creativity and wit. Also, what is superior about this book -- if you are considering which DeLillo book to read -- is that it is not that long. It is as self-indulgent as Underworld in style but it is more tightly woven and thus, in my opinion, a much better book. Simply, it is a quicker read.At this time in our history this book is useful to understand the emotional side to terror, the conformist mind, power, politics and self-respect. DeLillo was way ahead of his time this way.While many Americans blindly support the war on terror you have a thoughtful analysis of why terror exists at all, written way before Bin Laden turned against the US.Mao II is a great introduction to DeLillo.

This is a very dark and grim tale about a reclusive writer's involvement in a hostage situation during the Civil War in Lebanon, although very little of it actually takes place in Beirut. 2020-2021 may not have been the best year to read this book, given how dark and grim the world seems these days. I am normally a big fan of Don DeLillo and I recommend his books highly, I was not as crazy about this one as the others I've read. Chaos and destruction everywhere, even in New York, or maybe specially in New York. It has several really excellent passages that are worth reading but not enough to raise my review about 3 stars.

My third DeLillo book after White Noise and The Names. DeLillo seems to predict the future with this book in regards to group-think, terrorism, modern American culture etc. Throughout the book DeLillo puts together thoughtful sentences and ideas. I highlighted numerous sentences and passages while reading the book. Much to ponder and it is a book I will read a second time. This story has it's focus on a reclusive writer who seems similar to J.D. Salinger. The book opens with the the big 1980s "arranged marriage event" at Yankee Stadium presided over by the Rev Moon. It ends with our reclusive writer coming out of hiding for an "event" set to go down in Beirut. A good story, well told, with interesting characters, a tale full of insights on the state of our modern culture. If you have not read DeLillo you are missing out. Excellent, thought-provoking writer. I am now reading Libra.

Interweaving a moonie-type religious cult, the personality cult of mao, Islamic militants and the relationship of author to reader, Delillo explores some of the big issues of our times with his usual humour.And the story itself is gripping as a reclusive author is persuaded to agree to attend a public meeting in London in support of a kidnap victim in Lebanon. Well worth reading.

I bought it for an essay, brilliant read. it Really makes you think about the connection between art and politics

Very pleased with purchase. As described. Many thanks

good

It's about homeless people and tribes.