'Japan, creative masochism, and transnationality in Vineland'

[jbor]

Interesting article -- views the relationship between DL and Takeshi as a
sort of allegory of the complex economic, political and cultural
relationship between Japan and America since WWII. The article also connects
_Vineland_ with the two best-selling novels by Eric von Lustbader (_The
Ninja_ and _The Miko_) which, coincidentally, a friend was describing to me
and recommending just yesterday:

'Japan, creative masochism, and transnationality in Vineland' Terry Caesar,
Takashi Aso. _Critique_. Washington: Summer 2003. Vol.44, Iss. 4; pg. 371

Abstract (Article Summary)
Caesar and Aso examine Japan's representation in "Vineland." According to
Takayuki Tatsumi, the representation of Japan in the novel represents
Pynchon's response to William Gibson or Bruce Sterling; it is a sort of
disdain for the new kids on the block, a mockery of their high-tech-hyper
Orientalist discourse.

Excerpt:
"[...] In Vineland (as well as in Gravity's Rainbow), Japan is accorded
enough specific valence on its own terms -- Japanese vocabulary, Tokyo place
names -- to enable it to suffer transformation into a markedly American
theater of representation. (According to the Japanese translator of the
novel, who corresponded with the author through his agent, Pynchon never
came to Japan [Sato 601].) [...]"

The article was published in 2003 and also provides a comprehensive overview
of contemporary Japanese responses to Pynchon and his work.

Pdf available. Contact me offlist.

best