one more RE: is Pynchon a recluse?

[Doug Millison]

The letters present a multi-faceted Pynchon, which may indeed be difficult
for some Pynchon fans to grasp. P talks about his reluctance to be
interviewed, true, but he also expresses a willingness to work as a
journalist himself (movie reviewer for Esquire magazine).

The letters donated by Carter Burden to the Morgan Library are also 30+
years old, dating to 1963. Obviously, in recent years Pynchon has changed
his approach considerably -- speaking to CNNin '97, taking part in an
exchange with Hajdu for the Positively 4th Street book, plus some other
unpublicized encounters with journalists, Pynchon-L subscribers, etc.

Gussow does repeat the "reclusive" descriptor that Pynchon has since denied
is applicable (in his interaction with CNN in '97).  Lots of people try to
find this or that easy way to characterize Pynchon, find a box to put him
in:  recluse, PoMo novelist, etc. But he's way more complex than that, as we
all are, of course.