Roy Orbison: Mercy, Venice & Viena

[Otto]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terrance" <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
To: "Otto" <ottosell at yahoo.de>
Cc: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Roy Orbison: Mercy, Venice & Viena

>
>
>
> >
> > > Moreover, we've not discussed the story. In fact, there seems to be
very
> > > little interest in the story itself.
> >
> > I disagree.
>
> We've not discussed the story.  With the exception of Robert's posts,
> which were ignored, not a single post during this entire discussion has
> taken up the story itself.

That's not entirely correct. It took me some time to answer his posts but I
had to find that essay first (thanks to the long-time p-lister who has send
it offlist to me) Rob says about: "Not a bad article."

> The characters, the themes, the conflicts,
> the settings, the plot ... the dialogue, the elements of a good story or
> the lack of such elements, have not been discussed here. More
> importantly, readers have not engaged in a discussion of the text they
> are supposed to be reading together.
>
>
> >
> > > The Pynchon-List is nothing more
> > > than piss-poor and cranky literary criticism disguised as discussion
of
> > > Pynchon and his published works.
> >
> > I disagree.
>
> We have an opportunity, if not an obligation, to open the list and
> expand its membership.

It is an open list, at least I have this impression. There are a lot of new
voices.

> I'm convinced that the  modus operandi of
> Pynchon-L is stifling

I'm not sure what this modus operandi precisely is, or should be.

> and that the texts that scheduled for discussion
> are of interest only to a select group of Pynchon critics and fans.
> I say we toss this plan into the trash and start fresh. Dump and
> start reading the novel that will attract fresh faces and new voices.

So it's still GR you're after. I agree, it's his magnum opus.

What's "this esoteric stuff"

Otto