Whitehead's novel uses them as a metaphor for vapid materialistic society today. Oh well, maybe next time.
That the review you linked to sounded very interesting and made me want to read the book, and then this completely dissolved such thoughts?
Especially considering that just because something is a metaphor doesn't mean it doesn't affect the reader. Too many people dismiss things out of hand or because they take one observation and extrapolate too much from it.
Like me extrapolating from the statement you made that the book is anticapitalist?

Books that I would urge certain readers to consider reading/reviewing
20/11/2011 10:54:01 PM
- 1162 Views
Your post intrigues me. I will probably need to read Mencken.
20/11/2011 11:08:03 PM
- 619 Views
Re: Your post intrigues me. I will probably need to read Mencken.
26/11/2011 04:28:15 AM
- 588 Views
It's christmas already?
21/11/2011 08:32:20 PM
- 882 Views

Well, it takes some people months to get into it, so why not?
22/11/2011 01:46:06 AM
- 840 Views

Re: Well, it takes some people months to get into it, so why not?
22/11/2011 05:29:47 AM
- 833 Views

I found it at Abebooks for $15 total
22/11/2011 06:10:16 AM
- 824 Views
Re: It's christmas already?
26/11/2011 04:33:10 AM
- 740 Views

Have you read any Pamuk?
21/11/2011 10:19:21 PM
- 683 Views
I've read My Name is Red and have The Black Book in Spanish translation
22/11/2011 01:42:10 AM
- 615 Views
Who is this Colson Whitehead
22/11/2011 07:24:01 AM
- 591 Views
One of the best American writers of the past decade
22/11/2011 08:24:20 AM
- 751 Views
No thank you
22/11/2011 02:15:54 PM
- 612 Views
I very rarely do myself
22/11/2011 03:39:41 PM
- 620 Views
I looked up this book the other day and then forgot time and again to reply to you.
24/11/2011 10:12:16 AM
- 662 Views
Re: Books that I would urge certain readers to consider reading/reviewing
26/11/2011 04:27:09 AM
- 662 Views