Great Jones Street

Great Jones Street cover
Good Books rating 2.67
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Technical
  • ID: 2361
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780330530200
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2011-08-19
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Bucky Wunderlick, once a celebrated rock and roll star, suddenly turns his back on fame and fortune, leaving his band mid-tour to hide in an unfurnished apartment on Great Jones Street. His disappearance only fuels public obsession, turning his retreat into a spectacle. /n/n Don DeLillo's third novel is more than a musical satire; it delves into the rights of the individual, the artist's struggle within a capitalist world, and the culture's fixation on celebrity lives. Part of the Picador Collection, this novel showcases the best of modern literature with its sharp critique and profound exploration of identity and fame.

Reviews
Dead End Follies · 2018-12-14
thoughtful 3.50

The novel is cerebral and meditative, making it not for everyone, but it remains surprisingly relevant today. The reviewer appreciates its thought-provoking nature despite its challenging style.

The reviewer notes that 'Great Jones Street' is a cerebral and meditative novel that might not appeal to everyone due to its complex and introspective style. However, they find it surprisingly pertinent in contemporary times, highlighting its enduring relevance. The book's daring and experimental approach is commended, even though some aspects may be questionable.


Quick quotes

    It's a cerebral and meditative novel that might not appeal to everybody

    it's still surprisingly pertinent in 2018

    DeLillo has done something daring and experimental with this book

Literary Fruit · 2012-10-24
challenging 2.50

The book is hard to read and even harder to recommend due to its uncompromising and brutal visions. The reviewer finds it challenging and not particularly enjoyable.

The reviewer describes 'Great Jones Street' as a difficult read, with uncompromising and occasionally brutal visions that make it hard to recommend. They acknowledge DeLillo's unique perspective but find the overall experience challenging and not particularly enjoyable. The book's intensity and lack of compromise are noted as significant factors in the reviewer's assessment.


Quick quotes

    So this book is a little hard to read

    DeLillo's visions are uncompromising and occasionally brutal

    by contrast ...

The New York Times · 1973-04-22
disappointing 2.00

The novel fails to capture the intended rock and drug world setting, falling short of its ambitious premise. The reviewer finds it difficult to describe the book fairly as intended by the author.

The reviewer expresses disappointment that the novel doesn't fully realize its setting in the rock and drug world as intended by DeLillo. They find it challenging to categorize the book fairly, suggesting it falls short of its ambitious goals. The critique highlights a disconnect between the author's vision and the execution, leaving the reviewer unsatisfied with the overall impact.


Quick quotes

    I wish this novel could be described fairly as a book set in the rock and drug world—as DeLillo intends—but it doesn't work that way

    the ... doesn't work that way, and the ...

    the ... doesn't work that way, and the ...