DeLillo

[Christopher Brayshaw]

Dear Bonnie,
Check out DeL's latest, MAO II, which features, among another lauditory 
blurbs, a long quote from TRP on the back jacket.  The book is a 
meditation on how terrorist activities and news photography have occupied 
that portion of the public consciousness previously reserved, at least in 
the 19th-c., for the historical novel.  The book is structured round a 
number of set pieces -- a Unification Church wedding in Yankee Stadium, 
homeless hundreds thronging Central Park, like something from a big 
Brueghel painting.

My other favorite DeLillos include PLAYERS, RUNNING DOG, and a 
much-remaindered play, THE DAY ROOM, available in Vancouver at least in 
paperback for $1.99, which features some very innovative stage design and 
reads a bit like a contemporary gloss on Beckett's ENDGAME.

DeLillo also published some very unusual short fiction in ESQUIRE in the 
early 70s.  & is also reputed to be one half of "CLEO BIRDWELL," whose 
only published book, AMAZONS, is well worth tracking down for its sheer 
eccentricity (DeLillo's former editor, one G____ L____ might also have 
been involved in Cleo's creation).

Two other quick faves: the historical novella PAFKO AT THE WALL, in 
Harper's "Readings" a year or two ago, & the short story THE ANGEL 
ESMERELDA, from Esquire, last fall.  Both well worth checking out.

Hope this helps!

Chris Brayshaw
35 degrees centigrade in Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA