V and the Recognitions

[RICHARD ROMEO]

Peter-



I really dug the Recognitions;  I've read it twice, the second time with 
the annotations which I was able to find in Colliseum Books here in the 
Big Apple.  I think the major difference b/w Gaddis and Pynchon is 
Gaddis' work lacks a "they" or "them".  Gaddis focuses more on human 
stupidity and vanity whereas Pynchon gets all wrapped up in the science, 
systems, conspiracies thang.  Their writing styles are very similiar 
(Infinite jest exudes the same) but they do their own thing which makes 
them fun to read which for all one's erudition, if you can't tell a story 
then you're basically in the middle of an ocean called the imagination 
without any oars (IMHO Pynchon does a better job of story-telling than 
Gaddis--hell I don't think any of Gaddis books have a plot to speak of 
which doesn't distract from Sir William's brilliance mind you).  I would 
have to believe Pynchon read some Gaddis along the way.

and for the record the four books that changed my view of things for 
good:

(in chronological order)



Ulysses

Gravity's Rainbow

Under The Volcano

The Recognitions



still looking out for #5



Richard Romeo (we have the zailor, ze teacher, se rich capitalist, 
and...one gill-i-gan)

Coordinator of Cooperating Collections

The Foundation Center-NYC

212-807-2417

rromeo at fdncenter.org