Pynchon's weaknesses

[MalignD at aol.com]

<. 

One example I recall was a discussion following Dudious Max's (I recall) 
claim that Pynchon was the the greatest American writer ever, in a class with 
Homer, Shakespeare, and Dante.  I mentioned that I found such a statement 
overblown generally and, more specifically, in omission of one Big Bill 
Faulkner, who casts a rather long shadow over 20th century American writing.  
There was some back and forth over the relative merits of both.  I recall the 
Millison, however, saying that he, for one, would never go on the Faulkner 
list and make such claims about Pynchon, the point being that comparing 
Faulkner favorably to TP on the P-list was out of line, as Millison always 
feels it is his, as nanny in residence, to decide what is and what is not out 
of line.

<< I imagine that we might be able to sustain more discussion of aspects of 
Pynchon's writings that some would call weaknesses, assuming that such 
observations were offered in a spirit of critical discussion and not 
simple-minded insults. >>

I try to refrain from insults, simple-minded or otherwise, but always allow 
myself some slack in Millison's case, where simple-minded is usually most 
appropriate.