Zero K

by Don DeLillo
Zero K cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 2374
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781509822843
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2017-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Jeffrey Lockhart's father, Ross, is a billionaire who has invested in a secretive compound where death is meticulously controlled, and bodies are preserved for potential revival in the future. As Ross's younger wife, Artis, prepares to undergo this experimental process, Jeffrey joins them to say a final goodbye, grappling with the ethical and emotional implications of his father's choices. Zero K delves into themes of mortality, technology, and the lengths to which humanity will go to cheat death. Don DeLillo's narrative explores the complexities of family dynamics and the philosophical questions surrounding life extension, all set against the backdrop of a futuristic and eerie compound.

Reviews
The Kenyon Review · 2017-03-24
remarkable 4.50

The novel is a standout in the author's late-period work, offering a rich tapestry of ideas and language that invites multiple readings. It leaves the reader eager for more from this acclaimed author.

This book is a remarkable addition to the author's body of work, showcasing his ability to weave complex ideas into a compelling narrative. The language is brilliant and thought-provoking, making it a book that one can return to time and again. The reviewer hopes it is not the author's last novel, as they are not done rereading his other works. The novel's exploration of themes and its rich prose make it a standout, though it may leave some readers in a quandary about its deeper meanings.

Quick quotes

    DeLillo's Zero K had better not be his last novel, because I'm not done rereading all of his others.

    The novel is packed with great lines and brilliant, at times baffling scenes.

    It places this reader in a quandary, inviting multiple readings and interpretations.

The Guardian · 2016-05-24
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel explores themes of death and immortality through a thought-provoking narrative, though some may find the characters' suspension in cryogenic freezing unsettling. It blends philosophical depth with a unique storytelling approach.

This novel delves deeply into the human fear of mortality and the lengths to which people might go to cheat death. The setting of the Convergence, where characters are cryonically frozen, creates a chilling atmosphere that lingers long after reading. The author's exploration of these themes is both profound and unsettling, making it a compelling read for those interested in existential questions. However, the narrative's focus on the frozen state of the characters might leave some readers feeling detached from the story.

Quick quotes

    Zero K suspends its characters in a never-ending death, when they are cryonically frozen in a place called the Convergence, somewhere in the former Soviet ...

    The novel is a meditation on the human condition, exploring the boundaries of life, death, and what lies beyond.

    DeLillo's prose is sharp and incisive, cutting through the complexities of mortality with a surgeon's precision.

Goodreads · 2016-03-03
celebrated 4.75

The novel is praised for its wisdom, richness, humor, and emotional depth, making it one of the most moving works in recent years. It is considered a significant contribution to contemporary literature.

This novel is celebrated for its profound insights and emotional resonance, making it a standout work by one of America's greatest living novelists. The reviewer finds it to be the wisest, richest, funniest, and most moving novel in years, highlighting the author's mastery of language and storytelling. The novel's exploration of mortality and its impact on human relationships is both poignant and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

Quick quotes

    The wisest, richest, funniest, and most moving novel in years from Don DeLillo, one of the great American novelists of our time.

    It is a profound exploration of mortality and the human condition.

    The novel's emotional depth and wisdom make it a significant contribution to contemporary literature.

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