Re: A. Burgess (keeping a dictionary handy)
J J R (jrovira@juno.com)
Sun, 29 Nov 1998 16:12:53 -0500 (EST)
<< I have to say when I read Pynchon, even during a reread of one of
his
novels, I have to keep a dictionary handy. Preferably, the OED if I
*had*
one, but I'll settle for my "Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged
Dictionary",
weighing in at some 8, 9 pounds. Pynchon has to have the widest
vocabulary
of any fiction writer I've ever read save Joyce. Where the HELL did he
ever find "quaquaversal" (page 238 of "Mason & Dixon")?
I haven't read any Burgess, but I can't imagine he surpassed TRP in
the
Vocab department. Salinger seems like his vocabulary is more limited to
me
than other writers.
Cheers,
D.>>
Yeah, I love Pynchon too, but I don't recall having to look Quite so
often with him as with Burgess. Pynchon's use of language creates not
only characters, but an entire atmosphere, a whole culture. Burgess
creates, it seems, a particular kind of character (in the TEENY LITTLE
BIT I've read :) ), all of whom have incredible vocabularies in
contemporary English (this century, at least).
Salinger creates a single mind with his use of language ;)
Jim
___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]