The Laughing Policeman, by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö

Another splendid police mystery from these Swedish authors! The most complicated story line of the four thus far. Although Roseanna gives it a run for its money and probably still remains my favorite of the four. This is brief, what else do I have to say? Crisp, well crafted, great character development, atmospheric - a nice diversion. Cheers.

White Noise, by Don DeLillo

My wife included this book in her modernism literature class some years back and her copy has been kicking around the house ever since. Taking a break from my police novels I jumped right in. The water is deep. And expansive enough to have currents, waves, tides and all types of aquatic life. At a most superficial level Delillo satirizes (derides?) the din of modern American life. Supermarkets, TV, pharmaceuticals, government organizations, religion (the bit with the nun at the end is priceless), education and industry all find their way onto his skewer. One especially pointed instrument takes aim at higher education. Jack, the main character, created and is the chair of the Hitler Studies Department. He doesn’t speak a lick of German but leads a global conference and is seen by all as the field’s thought leader. He is surrounded by inanity. An American culture theorist who wants to grow his career around Elvis in much the same way and who stalks grocery stores, buying only generics, sermonizing on the influence of radiation and waves. Another who dissertates on the language of cereal boxes. There is just enough realism here to make one nod with familiarity – especially for those who have lurked around university humanity departments. And this reflects onto the outside world as well. A toxic event occurs and the government responds by using it as a simulation for training purposes. Jack is told he will die from exposure, but not for thirty years or so. I’d imagine there’s a good chance Jack will die from something within thirty years! Disorder reigns and in the maelstrom leadership comes from Jack’s moody son, Heinrich. The other children are a locus of sanity while parents Jack and Babette wax neurotic and vibrate from myriad impulses of their noisy world. The TV is never off and moves from room to room like a hookah shared by hippies. Jack and Babette’s relationship is anchored by an ongoing philosophical discussion on who will die first, why each should be the one to die first and the fear of being left alone, of dying. Their co-dependence and neuroses destabilize even this potential safe haven. DeLillo’s din is everywhere. This is an important work. And readable for most. For points of comparison, I’m reminded of Pynchon, Heller and Vonnegut.