"The Recognitions"

[Charles Corlett]

  I'm new to the group and I'm my interest was piqued by the mention of 
"The Recognitions."  I plowed, trickled, squeezed, forced my way through 
it this summer and thought it brilliant.  It is certainly a book to 
return to.
  What I'm wondering is about Pynchon's relationship to the text.  I've 
heard it claimed that he had not read it when he started composing GR.  I 
find this extremely hard to believe.  I see Gaddis's influence 
everywhere.  If anyone has any ideas I'd be glad to hear them . . .