The Gnostic Pynchon

[Paul Mackin]

On Thu, 22 Jun 2000, Terrance wrote:

> 
> 
> Muchasmasgracias at cs.com wrote:
> > 
> > Instead of "gnostic" (or perhaps more appropriately along with that word)
> > wouldn't it be good to describe Pynchon as syncretic?  Lamenting
> > fragmentation and wishing things could be reigned in to a more holistic
> > culture?  I wonder if the gnostic bit is being over-emphasized (what 'bout
> > them mandalas?), or even misapplied to some extent.
> 
> 
> I like that, syncretic, yes, that's good, I don't know about
> the overemphasized part, I mean we just opened this door,
> right? In terms of misapplication, Like what for example?
> What about those mandalas?
> 

Let me join the chorus of those agreeing that syncretic applies to
Pynchon to a fare-thee-well. The question remains, how did he do it
without ending up with an ugly cultural blob?

						P.