The Anti-Labyrinth/Henry James/Pynchon

[RICHARD ROMEO]

I am almost done with Charles Palliser's _The Quincunx_ which details the 
tribulations of one man's search for justice in 19th century England 
(mostly with the unlucky and desposable elements of that society).  What 
most fascinates me about this book is the journey the hero takes and his 
constant musings on whether things happen for a reason (i.e. plots, 
designs, etc) or by unlucky happenstance.  Though complex, the design of 
the labyrinth is eventually unveiled in all its . (Is this what Henry 
James is all about?)

My question is:  is  Pynchon so effective because he (I'm thinking he's 
read lots of these types of books-) turns this quest on its head in that 
characters like Slothrop have indications of design but ultimately can 
never discover the full design or attempt modes or means of justice which 
in the Quincunx, the hero looks to be successful. (i.e. The 
Anti-Labyrinth--a term I steal from Theroux's Darconville's Cat ).  Has 
Pynchon made the leap in that he's made this quest more a metaphysical 
one, which seems to imbue his work with so much more than the traditional 
Victorian mystery?

Vineland seemed to explicitly define the good guys and the bad guys 
unlike the earlier works. 

 Maybe  in some way he is returning to those who taught him so well 
explicitly naming names..  Vineland's plot is just as complex in design 
than any Victorian labyrinth IMHO.





Richard Romeo

Coordinator of Cooperating Collections

The Foundation Center

212-807-2417

rromeo at fdncenter.org