SLSL Intro (A Couple-Three Bonzos

[calbert at hslboxmaster.com]

"I think you all are paranoid.  Too many years on the
P-List, no doubt.  Or maybe I'm being naive.  I don't know. But my gut
reaction--my first read--tells me he's completely sincere.  I know the
embarrassment in reading 20-year old checks.  I know the unpoliticized past.
I remember the puerile attitudes.  I identify with so many of the feelings
he had about himself, I'm reluctant to think he's making it up.  Whatever
voice he takes on, I always think of him as being sincere."

Obviously this argument is entirely choregraphed from the heart. There can
be no conculsive results in such an exercise.

I take issue however with the idea that one looks back on youthfull
jottings with only shame resulting. Pynchon even hints at this by
suggesting that he cannot figure out WHO generated the unspecified
"qualities" in TSI. The EASIEST response to one's "immature" work is
clearly embarrassment - but haven't you too caught glimpses of a person who
suprises you, either with a choice metaphor, or allusion - one you cannot
see yourself whipping up in your senescence? Even your clubfingered
correspondent once fashioned an apparent argument based entirely on the
slight variation of a biblical verse as featured in the King James and an
earlier version of the Good Book. Undeniably sophomore desperation, but a
neat trick nonetheless.....

love,
cfa




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