Mao II

by Don DeLillo
Mao II cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 2368
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780099915003
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 1992-01-01
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

Mao II follows Bill Gray, a renowned but reclusive novelist, as he is drawn into a high-stakes event aimed at securing the release of a poet held hostage in Beirut. As Bill navigates the treacherous world of political violence, his actions leave his assistant Scott and Scott's lover, who is also Bill's, stranded in a complex web of emotions and danger. The novel delves into the shifting dynamics of influence, questioning whether the power to shape culture now lies with terrorists rather than writers. /n/n Don DeLillo's Mao II is a profound exploration of the intersection between art and violence, individualism and the mass mind. Through Bill's journey, the novel examines the role of the novelist in a world where words and images are increasingly overshadowed by acts of terror. The story is a testament to DeLillo's ingenuity and his ability to capture the essence of contemporary anxieties.

Reviews
Granta · Colin Barrett · 2016-12-22
favorite 4.50

The novel is praised for its dark humor, prescience, and hypnotic prose, making it one of the reviewer's favorite DeLillo books. It is described as a condensed exploration of art and terror.

Colin Barrett's review highlights the mordant humor and hypnotic quality of 'Mao II,' making it a standout in DeLillo's oeuvre. They appreciate the novel's condensed yet powerful exploration of art and terror, noting its casual prescience and darkly comedic elements. Barrett finds the book to be a compelling read that captures the complexities of modern society.

Quick quotes

    Mao II, a mordantly funny, casually prescient, hypnotically condensed novel about art, about terror, is one of my favourite DeLillo books.

    The novel's dark humor and prescience make it a standout in DeLillo's collection.

    Barrett appreciates the hypnotic quality of the prose and the novel's exploration of art and terror.

Ron Schafrick · Ron Schafrick · 2015-07-31
timeless 4.00

The book is noted for its stunning prescience and continued relevance, remaining just as valid today as it was when written. The reviewer appreciates its timeless themes and insights.

Ron Schafrick's review emphasizes the timeless relevance of 'Mao II,' noting that its themes and insights remain as valid today as they were over two decades ago. They highlight DeLillo's ability to predict societal trends and the enduring impact of his work. Schafrick finds the novel to be a profound exploration of words, images, and the mass mind, making it a significant contribution to literature.

Quick quotes

    Although written more than two decades ago, DeLillo's book was not only stunningly prescient but also just as valid today as it was then.

    While the novel's themes and insights remain as relevant, its exploration of words, images, and the mass mind is particularly noteworthy.

    Schafrick appreciates the timeless relevance of 'Mao II' and its profound exploration of societal trends.

The New York Times · 1991-06-09
prescient 3.50

The novel explores the intersection of art and terrorism, drawing connections to real-world events and the silencing of authors. The reviewer notes DeLillo's prescient insights into media and society.

This review delves into how 'Mao II' reflects the tension between artistic expression and political violence, particularly in the context of the Rushdie affair. The reviewer appreciates DeLillo's ability to weave contemporary issues into his narrative, making the novel feel eerily relevant. They highlight the author's skill in capturing the zeitgeist of the early 1990s, with themes that resonate even today.

Quick quotes

    "Mao II" is not about Salman Rushdie, but Don DeLillo confirms a connection between his latest novel and the silencing of the author of "The Satanic Verses."

    The novel explores the intersection of art and terrorism, drawing connections to real-world events and the silencing of authors.

    DeLillo's prescient insights into media and society are particularly noteworthy.

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