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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