Rilke & Mann

[LOT64 at aol.com]

Foax,

I was just reading the DUINO ELEGIES for the first time, being led towards
Rilke by the references in GR. I was shocked and amused to find them
inscribed or dedicated to Princess Marie von Thurn und Taxis-Hohenlohe.  I
knew the Thurn und Taxis family actually had the postal monopoly or system
described in COL49 due to a visit to the Smithsonian postal exhibit but was
suprised to see the name come up unexpectedly in this book of poetry. I
guess, I shouldn't have been.

Has anyone commented or seen any work on connections between Thomas Mann and
Thomas Pynchon?  I found the Fasching party scene in THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN very
reminiscent of Foppl's seige party in V.  I do realize TM came well before
TRP but in my haphazard literary education TRP came first.  I also was struck
by the north German locale of BUDDENBROOKS and, if I remember correctly,
references to the Luneberg Heath or someplaces travelled across in Slothrop's
adventures in the Zone.  I don't see a huge stylistic connection between Mann
and Pynchon but just some bits of influence, perhaps.  DR FAUSTUS does play
with two narratives progressing in time and sort of intertwining with each
other as does V.  The thought just occurred to me.  Anyone know of any
articles or work on the connection?  I'd be interested in any citations.

Ron Churgin