GRGR1 - Giant Adenoid

[Curt Gardner]

It has been mentioned already that GR is not the easiest book to dive 
into, and I think the Adenoid fantasy is probably a point at which the 
innocent first-time reader may feel that she has gone well over the top 
into sheer silliness, a particularly male goofiness which Pynchon is 
able and willing to indulge in at times.  This is not to say that 
there are not valid references and reasons for the scene, but still...

Perhaps this remark was prompted by my overhearing a woman at a staging of 
DeLillo's "The Day Room" express her strong distaste for Thomas Pynchon.  
To mix in a bit of that low culture, she said that she was all prepared 
to like David Duchovny, but after reading an interview in which he 
expressed his interest in "Pynchon and Norman Mailer" it just wasn't 
possible anymore.  Then again, maybe it's just one woman's opinion.

Any thoughts on what makes Pynchon difficult, or difficult to like?

Curt Gardner
gardner at haas.berkeley.edu