Re: NN Re: Temperance Pledge

[Tim Strzechowski]

It is petty.  And I certainly don't intend for it to become a bigger deal than it should.

To clarify: the idea of reading Vineland had been brought up several times by a few different people for at least the past year, but nothing was ever seriously proposed.  When a Nabokov reading headcount was posted, I likewise posted a Pynchon reading headcount for Vineland (responding, in part, to not a few listers who expressed an interest in keeping the list P-related).  At least twenty listers responded in support of that headcount, and since VL is one of P's works that hasn't been read in several years, I assumed it's as good a book as any with which to do a group read.  Given some of the preliminary discussion re: reliability / point of view / TV reruns, I stand by that assumption.

And (just being preemptive here in case accusations arise) I never suggested that Nabokov is a writer of "less stature" than TRP.  Far from it.  I've signed up to host a Canto of PF in full support of a reading of PF.  But my point was, on a list devoted to an exploration of the works of Thomas Pynchon, other authors are indeed secondary to that purpose in that discussion of other authors leads to a greater appreciation of the one author for whom we've subscribed to this list.

I still maintain that reading Pale Fire and Vineland concurrently will yield some incredible discussion, and it will open all of us up to the individual merits of and parallels between both authors.

Tim


  This all seems to me like very petty bickering.  Much as I love the novel, much as I've touted it on this list, I didn't suggest a reading of Pale Fire.  Nevertheless, I endorse the idea.  

  I don't know if the Vineland reading was put out as an idea that would torpedo or maim the PF reading; if so, it's a shame.  If not, to each his own.

  TP isn't writing much; or, if he is, it's not available yet.  We seize at what he does write, e.g., the Orwell Intro, and good for us.  We spent nearly two months ripping into that.  But this list is open-ended, timewise.  We spent a year after September 11, discussing, vigorously what, finally,  has little Pynchon content, but were certainly the better for doing so (all told) from a TP point of view or not.  We have lots of time.

  I think digging briefly into a writer of no less stature than TP, i.e., Nabokov, one who, furthermore, has historical connections to Pynchon, is a very interesting thing to do.  I can't imagine that anyone who applies seriousness to the reading of Pale Fire, will not find his consideration of Pynchon altered, and for good reasons:  consideration of a writer who likely influenced him, or simply because Pale Fire is such a notable contrast to GR, such a different way to make literature of equal caliber.  So I think you all should embrace this reading.  It will not diminsih TP, it will be enlightening and interesting, and it won't make TP go away.  Plus Pale Fire is fun and Nabokov will likely become a lifelong source of pleasure for those for whom he isn't already.

  And, one might add, there isn't an internet list--the Nabokov list, the DeLillo list, the Gaddis list--that trust its man enough to allow this sort of thing.

  Certainly not the DeLillo list ...

    



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