Onderwereld

More about the book

While Eisenstein captured the impact of totalitarianism and Stalinism on the Russian people, DeLillo presents a compelling exploration of the Cold War and American culture, revealing the "swerve from evenness" that intertwines wondrous and horrifying events. The narrative begins with a vibrant prologue set during the 1951 Giants-Dodgers pennant race. Utilizing "super-omniscience," DeLillo weaves together the story of young Cotter Martin as he navigates the press box, the baseball diamond, and the stands, where historical figures like J. Edgar Hoover and Jackie Gleason are present. The "shot heard around the world" by Bobby Thomson sets in motion decades of events, all connected by the baseball. DeLillo reflects on how "it's all falling indelibly into the past," as he reconstructs this history with grace. The narrative shifts to 1992 Nevada, where Nick Shay, now the baseball's owner, reunites with former lover Kara Sax. Their past encounters serve as a lens through which DeLillo examines the Cold War's influence on personal lives, illustrating how global events subtly reshape existence. Over 800 pages, the reverse narrative strips away historical and cultural detritus, focusing on the bomb, the baseball, and the Bronx. The epilogue propels us to a near future dominated by capitalism and the Internet, marking a stark departure from the Cold War's complex emotions. Through interconnected stories of various characters, DeLillo cr