What is Pynchonian?

[Penny Padgett]

Hi all,

I like Jimmy the doktor's list of Pynchonian elements and don't
disagree with any of them.

I find myself wanting to add an item, though I can't quite phrase
it as concisely as Jimmy's.  Something about the _wonder_, the way
you can find something amazing on just about every page, and the way
these amazing things have a way of connecting to each other, giving you
that "aha!" experience every time you look closer.  To my mind, this 
is what separates Pynchon from, say, DF Wallace.  

There's also the fact that the man *writes* like it's going outta style.  
You could have elliptical style, encyclopedic command, an interest in topics
typically Pynchonian, and still not be able to write like Pynchon.  Perhaps
another item, then:  "Extraordinary mastery (love?) of the intricacy and 
beauty of the English language."

Penny