Bolshoi

[Thomas C. Breed]

>My Russian is pretty rusty, but: I doubt Pynchon is trying for
>authentic-sounding Russian with <<bolshoi metallisti>>... he doesn't even
>get the plural adjectival form of "big" right, that is, it should be
><<bolshee-ye>>. I am not exactly the authority, however.

Actually, I think he's trying to use the genitive to indicate that there 
exists some heavy metallers (ie. I drink  some big vodka - Ja piju bolshoi 
vodki).  There still is an error, but only that metallist is neuter rather 
than feminine.

By refering to this as intentionally unauthentic Russian, are you implying 
that Alexei is not REALLY Russian?  This is getting amazingly paranoid - 
but also interesting.  Are there any other indications in Vineland that he 
isn't who he claims to be (minor character that he is)?
                                       Thomas Breed
                            "You're never gonna chain my words."
                                -My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult