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cseibs's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps the fault is mine. I just don't like books that make me feel stupid. I felt like I was missing the point that with a good half of this book. When the narrator operated in the real world, I enjoyed the book and could invest in his struggles. But when he was in the Zero K netherworld of sci-fi scripted dialogue that was so contrived and pretentious, I couldn't care enough to peel back the layers of bull and figure out the point.
mattleesharp's review against another edition
1.0
Whereas Ratner's Star (my second least favorite DeLillo book) was at least a little juvenile and fun while being hand-wavy, this shit was over stylized and self serious and boring. I swing so wildly on Don DeLillo. When he's writing difficult people navigating relationships and small conflicts, it comes out brilliant. When he's trying to discuss big ideas or speak with any kind of intelligence or authority, he's just profoundly annoying.
pfwhitman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
In a book that contemplates the use of death in our life's, I don't know if I ever came up with an answer but I also don't think that was the point. Being my first DeLillo, I enjoyed the way he writes about experiencing life, making banal and mundane moments and thoughts seem almost profound. Whether the lack of grasping the topic was by design or that I enjoyed it it less than I wanted to, I still like the message it imprinted on me.
SPOILERS
Jeff's rich father created a facility in a remote area of Central Asia that lets those who are close to death be cryofrozen to be brought back to life in the future in a society they seem convinced will have the resources and technology to have solved all of today's problems. Jeff's father decides to undergo this as well even as a healthy man and so Jeff is left to contemplate to himself on whether it's ridiculous and stupid to choose this and pretend to never die or rather that death is just a part of a cycle of moments and experiences that dull and evaporate if things just go on forever.
SPOILERS
Jeff's rich father created a facility in a remote area of Central Asia that lets those who are close to death be cryofrozen to be brought back to life in the future in a society they seem convinced will have the resources and technology to have solved all of today's problems. Jeff's father decides to undergo this as well even as a healthy man and so Jeff is left to contemplate to himself on whether it's ridiculous and stupid to choose this and pretend to never die or rather that death is just a part of a cycle of moments and experiences that dull and evaporate if things just go on forever.
dlauabby's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Had some great lines but the book wasn’t easy to digest and I found it hard to follow. I did hear this author has some better reads though.
jwrosenberg69's review against another edition
2.0
I wish I never read this book. It's not that the writing wasn't good, it was just so depressing and I didn't enjoy it.
tempamatic's review against another edition
1.0
This is the worst book I have ever read. I have sat across the table from drunk people whose endless philosophizing sounded exactly like this book. It's packed with the self-centered random thoughts and meanderings of a boring person. Why anyone would like this bullshit I'll never know. The pointless musings about death and other irrelevant blather will make you wish you were dead by the time you finally get to the end. Don't.
jennitheghost's review against another edition
3.0
What's the point of living if you don't die at the end
thebookeer's review against another edition
2.0
Null K is too much for me. Although categorized as sci-fi, the scales go unadjusted: there is tiny amount science (cryo-cocoons for preserving human bodies) and a lot of fiction. I would rather categorize this as psy-fi, or psychologic fiction.
I like how the main character evolves, but that's basically all that came through to me. The rest remains obscure and possibly too deep. Null K isn't entertaining, it forces me to use some parts of the brain that I rarely have used.
I like how the main character evolves, but that's basically all that came through to me. The rest remains obscure and possibly too deep. Null K isn't entertaining, it forces me to use some parts of the brain that I rarely have used.
schwarmgiven's review against another edition
4.0
completely fantastic reflection on one of my all time favorite topics. completely recommended for any fan of DeLillo, who I had heard had lost the stuff. This book has all the stuff one could ever want--metaphysical mash up with pop culture slacker values. Completely readable and fun. Highly recommended....
euge's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0