Gore Vidal

[rj]

*Myra Breckenridge*, though, was something of a breakthrough novel in
terms of literary censorship issues and public taboos generally I think,
and, if not a direct influence on Pynchon, it did perhaps pave the way
for *GR* in some aspects, particularly with the US public.

best


JBFRAME at aol.com wrote:
> 
> I've always been an admirer of Vidal's social criticism, although he never
> seems to be able to shake his patrician origins (indeed, why should he?).
> I've tried to appreciate his fiction, which I've always considered somewhat
> "light weight."  Some of his novels I have liked, not so much for their
> literary value, but for what they say about the modern world.  The US history
> trilogy, _Julian_, _Messiah_, _Creation_, _Lincoln_-- all flawed works that
> have a great deal of value.  His essays are mostly spot on, gleaming jewels
> in the critical firmament!
> This being said, I can't put him in the same league with Pynchon.  It's like
> comparing Melville to Stowe.
> 
> 'Nuff said.
> 
> jbf