Gentlemen, start your flamethrowers

[Ivan Ackerman]

Hi folks
 
Now I know I'm potentially letting myself in for a real flame-fest here, but what the hell.
 
I've been running through Gravity's Rainbow again, nearly finished Part III (In The Zone). And my question is this: Am I the only one who finds GR significantly decreases, in terms of being an enjoyable read, as it goes on?
 
I'm not claiming the quality of the writing declines, or that there aren't any stunning scenes, ideas, phrases etc. in later episodes. Rather, I find Part I (Beyond The Zero) by far the most enjoyable, atmospheric, evocative, and emotionally involving section. Although there are some truly memorable phrases in later parts, I find all my favourite scenes, phrases, and passages are bunched together in Part I. I find the Casino Herman Goering section less enjoyable, though still great, and to be honest I feel the narrative starts to get bogged down, with the number of phrases or sentences that stop you in your tracks, markedly less frequent. By the time we get into The Zone, the book becomes for me just a (very superior) picaresque adventure.
 
Now I don't mind being flamed for this, but that's not my intention. I'd welcome any other views on the relative merits of GR's four sections. And I haven't commented on Part IV  (The Counterforce) because I haven't got that far in this reading.
 
Thanks all
 
Ivan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

		
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