Honest To Toby

[Paul Mackin]

On Sat, 2004-05-29 at 11:58, Keith McMullen wrote:
>  >>>Should we then read it as a pro-Reagan novel? Interesting thesis, but
> the evidence?<<<
> 
> The thesis that Vineland is a pro-Reagan novel is as uninteresting as 
> caricaturing it as a left-wing novel.

It would be metaphysically impossible to write a pro-Reagan novel. Even
Ayn Rand would have been at a loss. (you might even say ESPECIALLY Ayn
Rand)

Anyone can write a left-wing (sic) novel. It's the most natural act in
the world. That's why everybody does it.

> 
> Robbing his writings of their looniness is criminal.

Looniness is Pynchon's religion. It's his way of being postmodern.
By the way, can one worship at the altar of postmodernity and Karl Marx
at the same time? I rather think not.

Incidentally, in the Leonard piece (from where this started), the
purpose in ticking off a whole slew of writers who draw upon
working-class and radical history was merely to introduce an attempt to
clarify the nature of Doctorow's work. Leonard demonstrates that the
Left is not the only or main religion D believes in or practices.

> 
> It is, of course, a stretch to find (e.g.) the imagery of "window 
> crashing for food" a bit loony. I'll try to get myself in line.
> 

Do what you think best.