[Tim Strzechowski]

Not sure that I would describe it as a "weakness," especially if an author's world vision is that of the cartoon nature of human existence ... and it supports the themes s/he is trying to explore.  I know we've discussed this before (i.e., a few years back), but Kesey and Heller are authors who likewise create cartoon worlds and cartoon characters, but those worlds and characters are employed to reflect the greater ideas conveyed by the fiction.

Pynchon doesn't use cartoon at the expense of humanity.  It's used in addition to.  Big difference.


 

I think one of Pynchon's weaknesses is his reliance on cartoon characters as
opposed to fleshed-out beings.  He can do fleshed-out, but so much of his 
writing is a form of coded message that he uses characters as symbols and
shortchanges their humanity. And that's OK to a degree, but sometimes (as in
Vineland) it goes too far, and the result is inner emptiness." 

Sorry, I think I missed this; who are you quoting here?
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