Running Dog

A Superior Early DeLillo Novel: Originally published in 1978, 'Running Dog' is a provocative novel of ideas brilliantly disguised as a political thriller. It's also, incidentally, a wonderful time capsule of Seventies Americana and paranoia. Reviewers who criticize the book's lack of character development or large cast are missing the point of this novel (and much of DeLillo's fiction). Don DeLillo is a hyperintelligent, hyperliterate novelist who's in the business of upsetting our expectations, not fulfilling them. Case in point: this book begins like a police procedural (two NYPD cops discover a murdered corpse); we think we know where things are going; but instead of giving us the mystery story we expect, DeLillo curveballs his show more readers into a seriously twisted (in all senses of the word) story of political conspiracies, pornography, the mob, a film from Hitler's bunker, and much else...And those two cops from the beginning of the book? They vanish. We never see them again...
Bottom line: 'Running Dog' is a wild ride. Hop on. You won't regret it. show less

It's a book very much from the 1970's full of conspiracy nuts and paranoia and people looking over their shoulders to see who is following them.

It seems that there may be a secret home movie shot in the waning days of World War II showing Hitler and maybe others cavorting in the Bunker. a Hitler Sex Tape, you might say. OK.

There is a sort of underground journalist who wants to get her hands on it and a dealer in erotica who wants it too for different reasons. And a senator who collects porn and suchlike. And a mercenary sort of secret agent who doesn't ask any questions but is on the case too. A bunch of other characters pop up, have their moments, and disappear.

But the film is just a McGuffin for everyone to chase everyone all around show more the country, shooting off guns, having sex, and talking. And talking. And talking.

I think DeLillo can write but this one is just flashes here and there of good storytelling that never connect up and never lead anywhere. He's written books I've liked better. Have to say he's never really read a book I liked unreservedly.

So maybe I just don't "get" DeLillo. Maybe you like him better. show less

Powerful people in and out of government employ special ops individuals to gain their desires be it collecting erotica, information or manipulation just because they can. Hitler is a pebble in this landslide of a story.

I pity the students who have to face De Lillo in a course taught by one of his many academic admirers. Down there with Pynchon.