Gaddis, McElroy

[Bonnie Surfus (ENG)]

I"m still baffled by the thought of _JR_ as something wonderful.  I guess 
it's "imp-ahhhh-tant" thematically and shares concerns raised by Pynchon, 
but on the whole, I was unimpressed.  That's not to say there weren't 
"moments" where the running dialogue wasn't clever, but for me anyway, 
Gaddis is far too impressed with himself and I visualize him slaping 
himself on the back with every line.  And that interview with the British 
wanabee?  Urgh.  Now _Carpenter's Gothic_ is a fine book, and although 
it's viewed as his _CL 49,_ which, I guess makes it somehow a toss-off, 
it seems to me more finely crafted and seemingly aware of this vague 
sense of an audience.  Granted, I have not read _Recognition,_ but then, 
after _JR_, I had NO  desire to read further in the Gaddiss line.

Here's a question about PYnchon--I was talking to Gregory Comnes over the 
weekend and he's wondering if the talk is still of that Civil War novel?  
His wife, Judith Chambers must wish it is--seems, she's done a lot of 
research in that area, all in preparation.  

Bonnie