AtD Dream

[mikebailey at speakeasy.net]

> -----Original Message-----
> Subject: Re: AtD Dream
> 
> 	I hope P. is gratified by all the excitement the imminent release  
> of  his works causes...I've been reading GR before sleep along with  
> the re-read of VL and am blown away by the language of the former.   
> The latter does suffer in comparison.
> 
> 	Sweet dream.
> 

simply by comparison or extension from my own life (obvious comment: I've had my ups and downs) - I'm not really that big into speculation on what he's keeping private, but do get a feel for a personality behind the writing -- in fact, that is one of the best parts (so, count me with those who rather liked the injuction in GR to read Ishmael Reed, and indeed I did go out and do likewise; which I think Mumbo Jumbo is top notch indeed)

but one wonders if indeed he did undergo some kind of problem betw 1973 and 1990, maybe not a full-scale Mucho Maas Count Drugula substance thingie culminating in a blood-oath renunciation, but perhaps a strong instantiation of the 60s-into-70s letdown that others have mentioned?

I think but presently lack the skill to prove that Vineland is as good or better than GR.  The "spirit refined in the alembic of life" sort of thingy, the more mature tone, the greater concision, the smoother blending of subplots.  However, each of the novels has a vibe of its own.  There's nothing quite like the inspired mania of GR. 

I haven't yet had an AtD dream, but I have ordered my advance copy.