NPPF (was RE: Headcount Update #4,367)

[Vincent A. Maeder]

As I'm reading it for the first time, I see what you mean.  Some intro
material would be awesome.  We should probably place NPPF at the subject
line to differentiate these postings.  And the Warning: Spoiler is a
good idea as well.  And I accept your offer to host a section(s)

Anyone else have ideas?  V.


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pynchon-l at waste.org [mailto:owner-pynchon-l at waste.org] On
Behalf Of Jasper Fidget
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:12 PM
To: 'Pynchon-L'
Subject: RE: Headcount Update #4,367

I'm willing to compile some introductory material for Pale Fire to start
it off, and then later to lead some other section (or more depending on
volunteers).  

As some others have mentioned, this book does pose some complexity for
really discussing it while remaining fair to those who haven't read it.
How adverse are first-time readers to being supplied information that
may simultaneously deepen their understanding while spoiling their own
discovery?  Perhaps a [warning: potential spoiler] type system could be
employed?

The best approach is two readings.  The book is fairly easy going the
first time through -- earlier sections tend to increase in density due
to later sections, and this produces much paging back and forth (has
anyone written a Skeleton Key to Pale Fire I wonder?) -- so I would
recommend reading it once lightly (ignoring all the inscrutable
references) then paying more attention on a subsequent reading.  But
again, that's just the best approach, and perhaps not the most
practical.

Also, contrary to Mr. Kinbote's advice, I would *not* recommend reading
it out of order the first time....

Jasper Fidget



> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-pynchon-l at waste.org 
> [mailto:owner-pynchon-l at waste.org] On Behalf Of Tim Strzechowski
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:31 PM
> To: Pynchon-L; pynchonoid at pynchonoid.org
> Subject: Re: Headcount Update #4,367
> 
> 
> I think it would be an excellent testament to the scholarship 
> and professionalism of this list (yes, it can be professional 
> when it wants to
> be!) to be able to pull off a simul-read with _Pale Fire_ and 
> _Vineland_. I'd planned to reread PF during its group read 
> anyways, and I envisioned two group readings going on at the 
> same time, with listers dipping back and forth amongst the 
> various threaded discussions of both books.  I think the 
> possibilities are great!
> 
> Truth be told, I have no time to handle anything for the PF 
> read (what with a three-week-old baby in the house, minimal 
> sleep, tee-ball games for my six-yr-old, and a _Vineland_ 
> read to prep for).  I was sort of assuming the PF reading 
> would handle itself (since yesterday, it seemed so many 
> people wanted to do it).
> 
> I think the organization of the _Pale Fire_ reading should go 
> to those who expressed an interest in doing so (Morris, 
> Quail, cfa, slothenvypride, et al).  If it goes, I'll be 
> lurking and piping in as I see fit.  In the meantime, I'm 
> looking forward to VLVL2.
> 
> Tim