vineland

[Bonnie Surfus (ENG)]

Hi Paul,
	I've been reading _Vineland_ again for a 2nd as well.  Aslo GR.  
About _Vineland_--Don't you think that the reference on page 75 does not 
preclude us from varying pronunciations of Frenesi?  Doesn't Pynchon 
frequently suggest alternatives to the "obvious?"  Speaking of 
Frenesi--did you see the John Laroquette episode where Mayam Byalick 
(a.k.a. "Blossom") appeared as "Rachel Owlglass," Laroquette's 
character's allegedly long-lost daughter?  Funny that Laroquette, who's 
so careful to let the world know that he'd well-read, especially 
well-versed in Pynchon, should then allow the Jessica 
Swanlake/Rabbit-like RAchel (for me, anyhow) appear to be more like 
Frenesi or maybe Prarie.  The whole get-up suggested 60's hippidom or 
90's revivalist versions thereof.
	Anyhow, the second go is much better, isn't it?  I think P. was 
rilly brilliant with that novel.  It's funny--recent criticism of 
Altman's "ready-to-wear" (english for Pret-a-Porter, for us buffoons who 
can't man-aahhje.)  One of those Siskel's or Ebert's said that it's just 
so flat and uninteresting, no plot, nothing to make us care. There you 
go, Gene or Robert, or whoever you are.  Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion.  About 
_Vineland_, well, there it is.

Bonnie



==============================================================================

John (Jody) K. Gilbert
Department of English
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C. Canada
office phone (604) 291-5517
dept. phone  (604) 291-3136
internet     gilbert at sfu.ca