Link: amzn.to/ypehPF

Grade: B-

L/C Ratio: 80/20
(This means I estimate the author devoted 80% of his effort to creating a literary work of art and 20% of his effort to creating a commercial bestseller.) 

Thematic Breakdown:
40% - Cultural exploration
30% - Investigation of the human condition
30% - Crumbling of society

When people ask about my favorite authors, Don DeLillo is always on the list (even though all that really means is that I read White Noise in college and thought it was awesome). Right now he’s one of the few writers who has earned automatic purchase status – meaning I buy every new book of his without thinking twice.

Nothing against the short story format, but I came into The Angel Esmeralda with limited expectations. The book is a collection of nine stories, spanning 30+ years of DeLillo’s career. There are no particularly memorable characters or plots to discover, as the stories feel more like sketches or vignettes than fully-formed narratives.

If you enjoyed 2010’s Point Omega, then The Angel Esmeralda is certainly worth a read. The combination of sharpness and depth distinguishes DeLillo’s writing and reminds you why he is one of the kings of contemporary fiction.