Ratner’s Star

E68889

Ratner’s Star is a dense, experimental novel by Don DeLillo that blends science fiction, mathematics, and satire in its portrayal of a young math prodigy deciphering a mysterious signal from space.

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Ratner's Star 2

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Predicate Object
instanceOf experimental fiction
novel
postmodern novel
science fiction novel
author Don DeLillo
centralTheme cosmology and astronomy
epistemology and the limits of knowledge
language and communication
mathematics
satire of academia
science and scientific institutions
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
followedBy Players
genre mathematical fiction
postmodern literature
satire
science fiction
hasSubject astronomical observation
communication with extraterrestrial intelligence
logic and abstraction
prime numbers
language English
literaryMovement postmodernism
literaryStatus critically acclaimed for ambition and complexity
cult classic
mainCharacter Billy Twillig
medium print
narrativeStructure two-part structure
notableFor complex treatment of mathematics in fiction
difficulty and opacity for general readers
philosophical digressions
satirical portrayal of scientists and researchers
pageCount over 400 pages
partTitle Adventures
Reflections
plotElement deciphering a mysterious signal from space
precededBy Great Jones Street NERFINISHED
protagonistDescription a 14-year-old mathematics prodigy
publicationYear 1976
publisher Alfred A. Knopf
setting fictional research facility in the desert
near-future or alternate contemporary world
style dense prose
experimental narrative techniques
nonlinear storytelling
use of mathematical and scientific jargon
targetAudience adult readers
workInAuthorCareer early major novel by Don DeLillo

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Players authorOtherWork Ratner’s Star
this entity surface form: Ratner's Star
Great Jones Street followedBy Ratner’s Star
Don DeLillo notableWork Ratner’s Star
Running Dog precededBy Ratner’s Star
this entity surface form: Ratner's Star