AtD 117 (spoiler) Tunbridge Wells

[Gordon, Alex]

I haven't got AtD yet but I look forward to reading the parts involving
Tunbridge Wells as I've been there many times, and have lots of friends
there. It's a bit self-gratifying really but it's great to read your
favourite author inhabiting a place you're familiar with, just like the
many mentions of Wapping (where I live) in M&D. Correct me if I'm wrong
but isn't the George Tavern in Stepney Green mentioned in M&D also?
Being 10 minutes walk from my house, I've also been there many a time -
would be a great spot for a London pynchon meet up, if ever there was
one!

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pynchon-l at waste.org [mailto:owner-pynchon-l at waste.org] On
Behalf Of Jasper Fidget
Sent: 24 November 2006 13:58
To: Pynchon-L
Subject: AtD 117 (spoiler) Tunbridge Wells

I wondered why Tunbridge Wells in particular should be offended by _The
Chums of Chance in the Bowels of the Earth_ -- "letters having come in
from as far away as Tunbridge Wells, England, expressing displeasure"
(117) -- but then I read from this Wikipedia article:

"Tunbridge Wells is traditionally associated with the prim middle
classes, especially in the locution "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells". (The
editor of the former Tunbridge Wells Advertiser, allegedly told his
staff to concoct letters to fill the letters page. One letter was signed
'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells', Icons of England). This phrase has
remained in circulation because of its perceived aptness in describing
the inhabitants of the town."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunbridge_Wells

The article also mentions that Tunbridge Wells is referenced in
_Gravity's Rainbow_ so I dug out my e copy of that and found:

"It was what Hollywood likes to call a 'cute meet,' out in the neat
18th-century heart of downtown Tunbridge Wells, Roger motoring in the
vintage Jaguar up to London, Jessica at the roadside struggling prettily
with a busted bicycle, murky wool ATS skirt hiked up on a handle bar,
most nonregulation black slip and clear pearl thighs above the khaki
stockings, well--"

[...]

"'Come along, love, you're holding up the mission, leave the machine
where it is, mind your skirt getting in, I wouldn't want to commit an
unspeakable act out here in the streets of Tunbridge Wells--'

At which moment the rocket falls.  Cute, cute.[...]"


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