Books, Arts & Manners: The Los Angeles of Novels

Underground, by Don DeLillo (Scribner, 827 pp., $27.50)

THE problem with the New York Mets is that, instead of just trying to get to first base, which is a worthy and attainable goal, they always go for the home run and all too often strike out. The problem with much recent American fiction is that, instead of crafting a simple and compelling tale, many of our most respected authors aspire to write the Great American Novel—and they fall on their faces.

JG

About the Author

James Gardner

Featured Tags

Underground, by Don DeLillo (Scribner, 827 pp., $27.50)

THE problem with the New York Mets is that, instead of just trying to get to first base, which is a worthy and attainable goal, they always go for the home run and all too often strike out. The problem with much recent American fiction is that, instead of crafting a simple and compelling tale, many of our most respected authors aspire to write the Great American Novel—and they fall on their faces.