Re. Vineland Underrated

[Carvill John]

On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 08:32:17 +1000 jbor <jbor@[omitted]> wrote:

>Actually, he wrote that "Pynchon's overt left-wing views in Vineland may
>have helped earn him the negative reviews", which isn't correct anyway.

Can you please explain to me how a statement which hinges on the proviso 
"may have" can be categorically dismissed with "isn't correct"? Unless you 
personally penned all of the reviews in question, how can you be sure that 
the political views expressed in the book didn't affect the opinions of the 
reviewers?

>IMO it's his least interesting novel, but it's interesting nonetheless. And
>the bulk of the novel's satire and criticism is aimed squarely at the
>stereotypical lefties and their descendants who comprise the majority of 
>its
>cast and the major focus of the narrative. This is not to say it ultimately
>endorses conservative politics or morality, only that it views aspects of
>"left" history and activities in the U.S. with suspicion and disdain.

I notice no 'H' in 'IMO' there! The satire may be aimed at the left, but the 
political viewpoint of the book is directed at the right.

Cheers

John

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