David Bowman (1) (1957–2012)

Posthumously published, this kaleidoscopic non-fiction novel finds the obscure connections between historical figures and the dimly-remembered details of fateful decisions and accidents during the decade from 1953-63 -- the decade of the Baby Boom/Big Bang -- and how it created our world today. Extensive dives into the imagined interior lives of real people -- Arthur Miller, E. Howard Hunt, Alger Hiss, the Ngo Diem family of Vietnam, Robert MacNamara, William S. Burroughs and especially "Jack and Jacks" Kennedy -- turn these icons into the people who must have existed.… (mere)

Big Bang by David Bowman is a fairly long read that seems longer because it is not your typical straightforward narrative. While the comparison I have been seeing the most is to Delillo's Underworld (which I think is a fair comp) I would also include Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow. Big Bang is similar to both yet is distinctive from each.

The novel spans the years 1950 to 1963 and is, in that sense, very chronological, contrary to what some seem to think. As events happen during this chronology Bowman jumps both backward and forward to let us know what these people have done or, most often, will do. These asides are not difficult to follow. Within each chapter, which covers roughly 6 months to 2 years each, there are multiple snippets, for lack of a better term, each taking place in a different location. These may run from a couple of paragraphs to several pages. As you read you will find yourself making the transitions much more smoothly than at first. There are several key threads centered around specific figures and you just have to remember who is who. The placing of these snippets where they are do create some interesting juxtapositions.

I came to think of this as a mosaic. Each snippet is a single piece. There are many pieces of one hue and many of another. The hues, here, are the historical figures. While you're reading, especially early in the book, it is like being too close to a mosaic and being unable to discern what is what. Also think of a pointillist painting. Too close in and the picture disappears. As you read further in the book you start to see some form and some shapes. When you are finished, you can reflect on the whole and see a picture that makes far more sense than the individual pieces did while you were reading.

In recommending this book, I would say that if you are willing to be patient and wait for the picture to come into view you may well find it to be a powerful book. But I'm not sure that we are all going to see the same picture, so you may well find the picture to be a disappointment, but it won't be because there is nothing connecting all of the pieces. It is because it simply didn't appeal to you. I do believe that this book will be a rewarding experience for anyone who does more than "peruse" the book and throw out asinine comments like "Delillo fanfiction." At least don't advertise that it went over your head by playing pseudo-intellectual, just say you didn't like it. This will ultimately be one of those books that require more time and effort than some might want to give it. In today's world that makes sense for many people. If you like the challenge, even if there is no guarantee you'll love what you find, this could be a fun read for you. The writing itself is quite straightforward and won't present a problem. The mosaic-like nature of the snippets will be what could prevent an enjoyable read for some.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mere)