Vineland and V. (was Re: Holt publishing)

[Steven Maas (CUTR)]

Marty Trujillo wrote (about Vineland):
> I have nothing but good words for all of Pynchon's books,
> but I have a particular fondness for that one and *GR*.

I like Vineland too; it's no GR, but taken at face value it would by
itself establish Pynchon as one of my favorite writers.  And it has some
passages that compare favorably to GR and M&D. 

> I have to admit that I never really understood _V_, and I read
> it a couple of times (after having tried to read it three other
> times). To me, it is more flawed than _Vineland_, but I am
> in no position to tell you why, since I don't really understand it.

To paraphrase what I wrote about V. about a year ago, I think the chapters
about Stencil's search are mostly excellent.  The chapters about Benny and
the Whole Sick Crew mostly aren't nearly as good, and I think if any of
Pynchon's major works showcase some of the faults present in his short
stories (as he has discussed), it's these Profane chapters of V.  For
example, women who hang around with the Crew (except, of course, for the
major ones) are often not given names, are referred to as camp followers
or something, and are not given any characteristics to distinguish one
from another. In contrast, male characters, even those who just stop in
for one or two mentions, are generally named and given one or more
distinguishing characteristics.  In other ways too parts of the Whole Sick
Crew chapters to my ear resonate with sophomoric sensibilities.  All this
aside, I still rate V. as a great, though flawed, work.

	Steve Maas