Pynchon Blurbs Again

[davemarc]

>From Russ Smith's Mugger column in this week's New York Press (December 30,
1998-January 5, 1999).  

***

One of this country's unique writing talents will find richly deserved fame
this spring.  He's no stranger to NYPress readers.  Jim Knipfel has been
writing "Slackjaw" since 1994 for the paper, as well as handling the phones
and is now a staff writer.  With the release of his book Slackjaw
(Tarcher/Putnam), graced by a rare blurb from Thomas Pynchon, who doesn't
throw around logrolling accolades like Rick Moody or Luc Sante, I believe
this worthy collection will receive the attention it deserves.  Pynchon
writes:  "Slackjaw is maniacally aglow with a born story-teller's gifts of
observation, an amiably deranged sense of humor, and a heart too bounced
around not to have earned Mr. Knipfel an unsentimental clarity that is
generous and deep.  What begins as a cautionary tale turns out to be an
exemplary American life.  The Park Service ought to be charging admission. 
Long may Knipfel continue to astonish us."

***

Apologies for the gratuitous swipes at Rick Moody and Luc Sante--they seem
to be *de rigeur* at NYPress.   Incidentally, Knipfel is the guy who wrote
the intelligent NYPress review of Mason & Dixon (admitting he hadn't
finished it) that was quoted as a "blurb" on the paperback edition.  

d.