Ratner's Star

by Don DeLillo
Ratner's Star cover
Good Books rating 2.67
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 2362
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781509837878
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2016-05-19
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

When Billy Twillig, a prodigious young mathematician, wins the first Nobel Prize in his field, he is whisked away to a clandestine underground facility. There, he joins a quirky ensemble of Nobel laureates, each with their own eccentricities, as they work to decipher a baffling transmission originating from near Ratner's Star. The novel delves into the fascinating world of advanced mathematics and theoretical physics, blending humor and deep philosophical questions about the universe. Don DeLillo's signature prose shines in this thought-provoking exploration of science, humanity, and the unknown. The story is as much about the characters' personal journeys as it is about the cosmic mystery they are trying to solve, making it a compelling read for fans of intellectual sci-fi.

Reviews
The StoryGraph · jimsreadingandstuff · 2025-10-13
disappointing 1.00

The book was not to the reviewer's taste, finding it to be a load of bat guano. They disagree with the New York Times' praise for its inventiveness.

The reviewer expresses a strong dislike for the book, finding it to be a load of bat guano and not to their taste. They disagree with the New York Times' description of it as the most spectacularly inventive novel, indicating that the book's style and content did not resonate with them. The reviewer's opinion highlights a divergence in critical reception, as they found the book to be unappealing and not worthy of the high praise it has received.

Quick quotes

    This is a load of bat guano.

    “His most spectacularly inventive novel” according to the New York Times.

    This I fear wasn't really to my taste at all.

Whereof One Can Speak · 2020-10-22
challenging 3.00

The book is considered weird and impenetrable, which might explain its lack of popularity. It challenges the reader with its complex and demanding narrative.

The reviewer acknowledges that the book is not well-known, possibly due to its reputation as DeLillo's weirdest and most impenetrable work. They note that the novel's complexity and demanding nature might be off-putting to some readers, but it also offers a unique and challenging reading experience. The reviewer suggests that the book's obscurity might be due to its difficulty, but it is a rewarding read for those who persist.

Quick quotes

    It's not a well-known book, possibly because it's been called “his weirdest novel” and “famously impenetrable”

    which must mean “famously” difficult to read

    The novel's complexity and demanding nature might be off-putting to some readers

The New York Times · 1976-06-20
amazing 4.00

The novel is both interesting and funny in a nervous way, offering a unique perspective on the solar system. It is a literary feat that transcends categorization.

The reviewer found the novel to be a unique and engaging read, blending humor and interest in a way that makes it stand out. They appreciate the book's ability to transcend traditional genres, making it a literary achievement. The nervous humor and the exploration of the solar system add layers to the narrative that keep the reader engaged.

Quick quotes

    Our own solar system seems to be in another mohole, if not the same one.

    "Ratner's Star" is not only interesting, but funny (in a nervous kind ...

    For this is, again, an absolutely amazing literary feat, a seriously playful work that transcends categorization.

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