Re: Pynchon recommendations?
J J R (jrovira@juno.com)
Mon, 10 Aug 1998 16:15:59 -0400 (EDT)
HEY, who gave YOU dibs on Pynchon, eh?
:)
I agree with the recommendation. Either The Cryihg of Lot 49, or
Vineland. Being from Southern CA I'm biased toward that particular
novel, of course :) But I'd still read Crying first. There's a strip
poker scene that'll make you laugh so hard you'll pee your panties :)
Jim
On Mon, 10 Aug 1998 14:42:16 -0400 "D." <darjr@shore.net> writes:
>At 01:37 PM 8/10/98 -0400, you wrote:
>>Okay, okay, I've read heard Pynchon referred to so many times on this
>list
>>that I've resolved to try and read some of his work. I took a look at
>Mason &
>>Dixon at the local Barnes and Nobles and thought it looked a little
>too
>>daunting for an introduction. Does anyone have any recommendations as
>to what
>>I should read first?
>>
>
> Ok, ok, being the resident Pyn-head on this list, I'll do the
>honors
>8-). MY suggestion would be to start with "The Crying of Lot 49".
>Being
>relatively short, 183 pages, it contains a good cross section of
>Pynchon's
>themes, idea, and writing style. Also, next to "Mason & Dixon", CL49
>has
>some semblence of a "linear narrative". After CL49, I'd say go with
>whichever other Pynchon title catches your eye. I was ambitious and
>went
>straight at "Gravity's Rainbow" second and had a good experience.
>"Mason &
>Dixon" is very wonderfully lyrical novel, not to mention it's written
>in
>18th century English (complete with random capitalizations and
>apostrophes), so it takes some getting used to the style. One of the
>joys
>of Pynchon, to me, is that all 5 of his novels have a different
>writing
>style. M&D represents, perhaps, the most imaginative style of his to
>date.
> I liked M&D quite a bit--it is certainly a novel of a more mature
>Pynchon,
>and maybe an artistic rival to GR. Let me know if you like CL49 or
>not.
>
>
>
>Cheers!
>
> D.
>
>
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