Pynchon fax

[jbor]

Neither the quotation from the letter nor the quoted speculation actually
contradicts either of the stories, of course.

best


>> I'm not sure who asked, or whether it was on- or off-list (apologies if
> so),
>> and this isn't the source I recall (I think it might have been the defunct
>> Pynchon Files, but I'm certain the stories are documented elsewhere also),
>> but here is a version of the
> jumping-out-of-a-window-to-avoid-Norman-Mailer
>> story and the disappearing-from-a-Mexico-hotel-room story (which my memory
>> had combined into one rather than two stories). The stories appear to be
>> based on witness statements.
>> 
>> best
>> 
>> http://www.theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/pynchon.html
>> 
>> [...]
>> 
>> In the absence of solid details, Pynchon's life has become something of a
>> legend in literary circles. Stories abound. One story involved the book
>> jacket photographer for "V" going to Pynchon's only known address, a hotel
>> room in Mexico City, for a picture of the young author. The man who
>> answered
>> the door said Pynchon would be back in an hour, but when the photographer
>> returned, the room was barren.
>> 
> 
> Richard Lane:
> "BTW Pynchon was told by his landlady that the photographers had been
> looking for him. He spent the next week, "week" Pynchon's word, at the
> movies and the library. When they returned the next weekend, Pynchon took a
> hotel room and his landlady finally persuaded the pair that he had returned
> to the U.S. Upset by the experience, he left Mexico City.
> Source: Letter to Faith & Kirk Sale 9 March 1963"
> 
> 
>> Another story involved the typically aggressive Normal Mailer, who after
>> making numerous requests to have a drink with Pynchon, finally tracked him
>> to an address and began pounding on the door. after a while, Mailer gave
>> up,
>> only to learn from neighbors that a strange tall man had jumped from the
>> second story window and skittered off down the sidewalk.
>> 
> 
> Richard Lane:
> "He never jumped out of a window. Wasn't that part of Water Kirn's article?
> And wasn't it Norman Mailer knocking on the door. More junk. I asked Mailer.
> They have never met."