Preview of The Body Artist Summary:

Through Lauren's unique profession as a body artist, DeLillo is able to explore the theme of identity construction. All of the characters in the novel participate in a conscious construction of their individuality, in terms of how they see themselves in general, and how they see themselves in relation to others. The obituary describes how Rey constructed himself as a film director, changing his name from Alejandro Alquezar to Rey Robles, a film character's name, when he became involved with the medium, and it was clear that that was what he was going to do for the rest of his life. Even very minor characters, such as Rey's first wife, Isabel Corrales, are not described but allowed to develop themselves through their own voice. Isabel, when talking to Lauren, sets herself up as the one who knew Rey, and as someone who has a great depth of understanding...