Shell Oil

[Greg Montalbano]

Dana ventures:

>O.K. I've thought long and hard on the idea of using the list as a
>forum for political issues but two things swayed my decision to do so:
>Shell makes an interesting appearance in Gravity's Rainbow, and
>really messes up the idea that a war has sides and all that.
>

While it's a valid question as to the advisability of using anything that
appears on the list as an excuse to start beating whatever political drum is
keeping us up these nights, still, in this case, I find your post totally
appropriate.
Even the most superficial reader of TRP's novels ( -- hell, even some of
those REVIEWERS) couldn't help but notice the political content -- direct &
indirect -- permeating all of his work.  You'd have to be blind or three
days dead not to pick up on his attitude towards afficianados of greed,
power and genocide -- and he's sometimes so GREEN he makes Steelhead look
like a slacker*.
(Minor aside:  I'm pleased to find his attitudes, as expressed in M&D --
don't worry, no spoilers upcoming -- solidified & more mature than in his
previous work.  Besides laughing out loud while reading this book, I also
find myself regretting I didn't buy another copy, so I could highlight the
hell out of this one... even though it'd probably end up with every page
solid yellow.)
I wouldn't be surprised to find a note from TRP included in the flood of
mail the Minister will be receiving.

~G~

* Anybody know what's become of this person?  Say what you like, he
definitely helped keep the list lively.