Pynchon fax

[Otto]

----- Original Message -----
From: "jbor" <jbor at bigpond.com>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: Pynchon fax


> otto
> > It is hardly a coincidence that the ones who prefer to
> > question the authenticity of that piece disagree to what he says in it,
have
> > called the "1984"-Intro a shitty essay etc.
>
> No, I've never called the Orwell 'Intro' a "shitty essay", nor do I think
> it's a shitty essay.
>

Sorry, good to hear that.

> >> It seems to me that those
> >> few voices here who are championing the Japan Playboy piece as a
> >> definitive
> >> public statement made by Pynchon are too scared to ask. Or else, one at
> >> least might know already what the answer will be.
> >>
> >
> > Now you are accusing someone of a deliberate fake, a strong accusation.
>
> No, though that's certainly another possibility. It seems to me quite
likely
> that, having received reliable information that Pynchon never gave an
> interview to Playboy Japan, there'd be a failure to disclose it, just in
> order to keep the "myth" alive -- much as Anderson did with the Tinasky
> hoax. Recall that imminent confirmation of the status of the "interview"
was
> promised over two years ago.
>

I cannot imagine that someone would do that here on this list. Doug's been
then one who has brought it in:

"Just to let you know, I have in my hand...the actual issue of Playboy Japan
that contains an article based on an interview with Thomas Pynchon -- his
name appears in English, along with a couple of quotes, on a page otherwise
occupied by only Japanese characters. Whatever the story proves to be
behind this article, it certainly looks as if Playboy Japan is convinced
they have published an article based on an interview with Pynchon."

I guess I've got a copy of a copy of this.

> Someone offlist suggested "that Pynchon probably had no idea that his 9/11
> thoughts that he spoke over a telephone would wind up on the printed
page."
> I'm not sure what the basis for that speculation is, or whether there is a
> basis for it, but if it were the case then questions immediately arise
about
> the writer's interpretation of the content and tone of Pynchon's comments
> during the course of the conversation, and about the accuracy and
> completeness of the statements which he or she has put into Pynchon's
mouth
> in writing up the article, let alone the ethical issues concerning
> publication of private correspondence without permission.
>
> best

If that's been the case (I have strong doubts about that) it would throw a
strange light on Pynchon's knowledge of the human nature.

Otto