Idea: Disband P-List

[Christopher Gonzales]

Hi folks,,,

Is there anyone else like me who is debating, when the new book becomes
publicly available, whether to unsubscribe from the list?  Yes, I know, I'm
surely addicted, even though I've only been here a little while.  The
steady stream of insight and commentary livens a dull day, but I worry
about a coming flood.  Despite spoiler warnings, judgement will creep into
the discussion.  I might be happily enjoying p.100 when everyone else
agrees, "M&D disappoints, better re-read GR."  To me this author and this
book may be too important to not go it alone.  

Compared to other p-listers, I'm pretty unwashed.  I first found Pynchon in
a used bookstore a little over a year ago.  A friend had recommended V. but
I forgot the title so I bought Gravity's Rainbow.  Immediately I left the
world and disappeared into the Zone, only putting it down from exhaustion,
much too late at night, not wanting to let go of a single word or phrase
until my next sitting.  You can probably imagine the rest, since I'm now on
the list.

When I pick up M&D I don't care to know if the book is popular, critically
successful, or a literary masterpiece.  As much as I love your ideas, wit
and longitudinal yearnings, I won't need to know at all what's going on in
the outside world.  I might be alright without encyclopedic preparation.
Your voices would be too much like family, one too complicated to bear.
Quasi-promos from bookstores and marketing groups become disconcerting
because I always decide *after* I've read them that I rather should have not.

This message is not for everyone.  It may be for you.  You may recognize
addiction as a disease.  Come the end of April you need not sit glued
waiting for news on the p-list.  It's easy to unsubscribe, though the
confirmation part does sting a bit.  You're not facing extinction, or even
a figurative death-in-life, no running shoes, purple shrouds or fivers in
pockets required, so don't toss your tupperware.  Just hop off the bus,
breathe a sigh of relief, take your new book in hand, set out on your own,
and get it straight from the master, cara a cara.  

I haven't made up my mind.  I look forward to any advice or suggestions.


Thanks,,,

Chris