Slow Learner "Introduction" and O'Brian Reference in Mason & Dixon

[Dave Monroe]

Man's Favorite Sport? (1964)

Roger Willoughby works at a sporting goods store and
is the author of a best selling guide to fishing, even
though he has never fished....

http://imdb.com/title/tt0058324/

--- davemarc <davemarc at panix.com> wrote:

> In the Slow Learner "Introduction," Pynchon writes
> about feigning expertise
> in his fiction.
> 
> In Mason & Dixon, he seems to offer an affectionate
> nod to historical novelist Patrick O'Brian: "Not
> only does O'Brian know all there is to know and
> more 'pon the Topick of Euphroes, and Rigging even
> more obscure,-- he's also acknowleg'd as the best
> Yarn-Spinner in all the Fleets."
> 
> Now there's a BBC story challenging Patrick
> O'Brian's expertise:
> 
> Patrick O'Brian: Could he sail? An associate says
> not The late Patrick O'Brian's celebrated maritime
> novels inspired legions of fans to venture on to
> the ocean waves. But fresh evidence suggests the
> legendary writer couldn't even sail.
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3570988.stm


		
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