AtD Dream

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

I'm pretty sure that TRP mentioned in the intro to "Slow Learner" how the human element was the missing or submerged element in his previous books, how he would allow some mcguffin or some other plot business interfere with the natural development of recognizable human behavior in his writing prior to Vineland. Certainly, the human element comes to the foreground in M & D and I suspect, as phantasmagorical as ATD will doubtless be, plot development derived from recognizable human behavior will dominate over the purely structural plot developments in ATD.

I do think character development is what separates Vineland and Mason & Dixon from Pynchon's previous novels. 
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: mikebailey at speakeasy.net
> > -----Original Message-----
> > Subject: Re: AtD Dream
> > 
 
> 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.