tin ear

[McCormick, Michael T [RV]]

Well, I am another semi-young (born 1960 -- am I a Boomer or a GenXer?) 
Pynchon fan who was into punk music and still listen to its current heir, 
so-called "alternative music".  (Alternative to what?)  So my opinion on 
this may be just as biased as the previous message.

But having made that disclaimer, I totally agree with what you said.  I was 
disturbed by things like naming a band the Vomitones, which no punk band 
would ever, ever call itself.  It sounds more like what someone immersed in 
50s culture would *imagine* punk bands call themselves.  In general, I think 
it's fair criticism of _Vineland_ to say that TP reveals a tin ear for the 
modern 80s culture he is supposed to be lampooning.

What I do NOT agree with is that Vineland is "execrable".  The sad fact that 
Pynchon is not quite in tune with modern youth culture does not invalidate 
the book.  It does mar some of the dialog, especially between the younger 
characters.  That is unfortunate, but to say it ruins Vineland IMHO really 
blows it out of any reasonable proportion.

Please try reading it again without being so sensitive to the generation 
gap.  Vineland is a good (maybe even great) book, although it's no GR.  I 
don't feel like TP's fans nor the critics have given the book a fair shake, 
maybe because they expected More Gravity's Rainbow or something.  I give the 
man credit for trying something truly different and fresh.

Yabba dabba doo!
__________________________________
Mike McCormick
mtm4 at rsvl.unisys.com
m.mccormick2 at genie.geis.com
__________________________________
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