SLSL Intro, "almost, but not quite me..."

[vze422fs at verizon.net]

on 11/3/02 9:41 PM, Mutualcode at aol.com at Mutualcode at aol.com wrote:

> 
> In a message dated 11/3/02 2:58:44 PM, trailerman at blueyonder.co.uk writes:
> 
> << so, to what extent should we read the intro as a short story?
> 
> nice essay in the Guardian yesterday (Sat) by David Lodge.  He expounds
> on the prevalence of mock-confessional narratives in modern fiction :
>>> 
> 
> Read it (it's good) at:
> 
> http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,12084,823955,00.html
> 
> If it can be read as a short story: the tale of a middleaged author
> reflecting on some of his early works, which now, because of his
> reputation, he intends to mass market as a collection, then it
> should be read that way. That is not to preclude the possibility
> that the voice of the narrator and of "Pynchon" coincide- here,
> there and everywhere- but, that's just another possibility. An
> "expansion of possibilities," if you will.
> 
> I believe it can be treated as a story, and further, it is not necessary
> to prove authorial intent in order to examine it in that light. By
> remaining out of sight, Pynchon makes that even more possible.
> 
> What are the other examples of authors who have prefaced short
> story collections with long intros? I agree with those who have
> pointed out that we should compare them with SL, as a sort of
> genra. But Pynchon's reclusiveness, and the much larger questions
> the world is waiting to ask him about the novels, makes this case
> unique. It is not the so-styled callow author of these stories that
> we are all waiting to step down "the street to have a beer and talk
> over" the state of the world with, it's Pynchon. And he knows it,
> and he knows that's what we're all waiting to catch a glimpse of
> as we parse and peruse the Intro.
> 
> respectfully

I'm curious as to whether Pynchon decided to mass market his earlier stories
for profit or was that the decision of his publishers. Contractual
obligations? I jumped on SL as soon as it came out because I knew that it
had an intro by TRP. I wanted to know about an evolving Pynchon in order to
understand better the books that I loved so much. The short stories are
clearly and obviously flawed as we will discuss as we review them all. I
don't think ol' Tom is assuming a persona here as much as he is trying to
apologize for a useful back catalogue. Since he is not to my knowledge
participating in this debate, speculate to yourself about his intentions,
ironic or not. I'll take him at his word, and go from there. Ya'll are
starting to sound like characters from COL49.

Peace
Joe