Falling Man: a Novel by Don DeLillo - Book Report/Review Example

Falling Man The novel Falling Man, is one ed by Don DeLillo giving his approach and views, based on the experience of a survivor of the ill fated 9/11 attacks. The author narrates how life and pretty much everything entitled to it changed on a Lower Manhattan street. Everything is, or rather was considered to change from the Usuall Street that it was, to being an entirely new world of its own. It had become a world that constituted time and more so, space of falling ash. The author Don DeLillo exhibits great show in the novel, making use of thematic symbols in relation to the nature of terrorist and terrorism in general: the manner in which terrorist violence emancipates and is portrayed through the media. The author examines thoroughly the possibilities of reconstructing and more so, reinventing the identity of individuals. In addition, Don DeLilllo depicts all the scenarios that transpired in various thematic ways that bring the point he tends to deliver home (DeLillo 88). The story revolves around a survivor of the unfortunate 9/11 attacks and the particular effects that the survivors experiences on the particular day of the incident, bore on his afterlife. The author in his story narrates the life of one Keith Neudecker. Keith, a thirty nine year old lawyer by profession worked in the world trade center. He made a narrow escape on the day of the attack, bearing slight injuries. New York’s Lower Manhattan stood as a major financial capital prior to the attacks, as the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, land-marked the region (DeLillo 58). In this story, the author goes ahead to depict a shattered family, as the core of the entire story. As narrated, Keith finds himself just but lucky, as he escapes the scene of the accident, moments before it actually happens. The author does not only focus on the accident scene, but how the reader of the book, whom in most cases has little or no idea of what exactly transpired at the time of the incident sees it. How the technology filters it, is also a point of concern, not to forget how the news of the occurrence spread. In his narration, DeLillo lays out sentences that sound definitive on the subject. This is evident where the author states that the first plane seemed like an accident, and further continues to state that, by the time the second plane was in vicinity, all were a little older, thus wiser. He means that they knew it was not just an accident any more (DeLillo 98). One thing that comes out evident and very clear from the narration is that, the books tone as well as its scattered approach towards the situation, could be considered frustrating. It may glitter with descriptions and phrases that may necessarily not be the best in use to describe such an unfortunate scenario. However, the authors aim was to pass a simple message. To make known what happened in a manner likely to drill it deep inside the reader. For example, DeLillo, at the end of each section of the story, switches focus from post-trauma survivors to the pre-attack lives and livelihood of the attackers. This, the author finds necessary to include, for particular reasons, all directed to the proper passing of the intended message (DeLillo 88). It is right to categorically state that, the damage, both physical and emotional, that resulted from the 9/11 attack, wounded the American psyche in a great way. It is great to the extent that, it remains a sore issue that is far from healed. The novel lies within the richness of a wide range of elements to choose from, in relation to the attack of the 9/11. The author’s choice however, depicts a sharp and bitter aftertaste. The use of certain narrations by the author, such as the clouded vision of the ashy plume, and smells and sounds of bodily destruction, clearly show post 9/11 life in Manhattan, as having suffered a nearly practical standstill. DeLillo further states that the area, or rather, Manhattan, fell in eerie silence, with a considerably huge number of people losing spring in their step (DeLillo 99). In the midst of all the seriousness relating to the attack, the novel Falling man incorporates flashes of humor amongst all this. This is used as an objective way, to capture the reader’s attention, as he or she digs deeper, to discover what more; the novel has in store to reveal, about the unfortunate incident. It is of great importance to note that, the core lessons of the novel, rather, the subject revolves round the seriousness of what transpired that very day. What the author tries to bring home basically, is the fragility of the relevant family in mention, arguing further on matters concerning mortality. Finally, though, it all comes down to the falling of man. This is through the life he or she lives, all the way to the point of death. No matter at what stage it comes (DeLillo 88). For quite a number of people in America, most especially those dwelling in areas close to the place of attack, say for example in the lower Manhattan, life was never to be the same again after the unfortunate occurrence. Majority of people, with the exception of those who endured physical harm, were subdued to external pressure. These mainly, were the Islam. The effect was considerably higher, to the Muslims who dwelt in the state, as per that time. With the 9/11 attacks being purely initiated and facilitated by terrorist groups, many people who relate terrorism with the middle east, and Islam alike, tend to hold Muslims in general, responsible for the attack (DeLillo 100). The country’s administration fell liable to the claims of having detained innocent Muslims and later, launching attacks on certain Muslim-majority countries. The Muslims, and other affected persons, were left to fight the hate they had resulted to receiving, as well as the stereotyping to fit as normal citizens with rights, and continue with their healing and recovery process, from the rather unfortunate occurrences that they had witnessed. According to DeLillo, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks pushed the Muslim community, to coming out as liberals (98). Studies reveal that post-traumatic symptoms are by far, the most common health-effect of 9/11 saga. A relatively large number of adults in areas of New York and the Lower Manhattan to be precise reported post-traumatic stress symptoms. This came even after a period of five to six years after the day of the attacks. The author stresses that, rescue workers who indeed started their rescue work on the actual date of the incident, or soon after the 9/11, or those too who worked in the World Trade Center, had a high likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress diseases (DeLillo 69). They were not the only victims who suffered post-traumatic stress diseases at the time, as workers from other independent occupations, also fell victim of circumstances. The author, in a separate case indicates just how many victims of the 9/11 have put the sad occurrence behind them, moving on to lead normal lives. However, others have since then developed chronic illnesses, majority of these being physical as well as mental health conditions. In separate case scenarios, the author revealed that individuals, who experienced trauma of any kind prior to the attacks, such as domestic violence, were on the forefront of those individuals who were likely to develop post-traumatic stress diseases (DeLillo 24). The destruction of the twin towers to many, translated to the destruction of the lower Manhattan. Majority of the people in America, and the world over were left wondering if at all, the state would ever recover. The relationship between the violence details and the life stories of people living in Manhattan as of the time of the attack, shows that in a nutshell, it all came down to one thing. It most likely meant that, life would not be the same, for majority of the affected individuals, or group of individuals, as in the case of schools and work places (DeLillo 114). The use of different styles in his book Falling Man, ensures that the key points are driven home, giving emphasis to what the author, Don DeLillo, considered as the most catchy points and scenarios in the 9/11 occurrence in question. With this, the reader is able to interpret the scenario in a manner that suits one best, based on his or her level of understanding of the happening. The story brings together, those individuals who witnessed the incident first hand, with those who were born after the 9/11, as the author incorporates all relevant material to ensure this (DeLillo 97). Whenever an article, or as in this case a book comes along to address a major event such as the 9/11, it becomes easy and of major importance to state its worth. The book Falling Man however, stands up on literary grounds, displaying exemplary brilliance, offsetting any reasonable doubts that may arise as a result of reading and understanding the situation. Work Cited DeLillo, Don. Falling man: a novel. New York: Scribner, 2007. Print. Read More