Well I just reread Vineland and the news is still bad...

[Richard Ryan]

Am I alone on this list in thinking that M+D is, at
least in some respects, a superior work to GR?


--- rich <richard.romeo at gmail.com> wrote: 

> On 6/13/07, Henry Winkler <rushm0r3 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > V..................1963
> > CL49.............1966
> > GR................1973
> > Vineland........1990
> > M+D..............1997
> > AtD............... 2006
> >
> > Note the famous or notorious 17 year gap between
> GR and Vineland. WTF
> > happened during those years people? We may never
> know, but one thing we do
> > know is that the quality of Pynchon's books
> declined after that time.
> >
> > Fonzi
> >
> 
> ______________________
> I think there is a reason for that 17 yr gap.  the
> first three novels are so
> much about systems, their hold on people, means of
> escaping at attempts,
> discovery, horror, resignation.  the last three
> novels I believe emphasize
> the people themselves (DL, Mason, Webb, e.g.) than
> the systems themselves
> (though they are still there hovering) w/o losing
> any of the above
> I find it rather refreshing that Pynchon did
> this--he grew up (but w/o
> losing that zany-ness)
> people who harp on he'll never read GR--i just don't
> get it.
> compare the stiffness exhibited in V. for the most
> part and the wonderful
> lushness of AtD--that's quite a movement.
> 
> there's perfect symmetry to Pynchon's career. i
> think he's said all he can
> say in his fiction. i expect if there is anything
> more from the man, maybe
> collected essays or some non-fiction type work.  or
> that 10,000 pg thesis on
> king kong vs. godzilla
> 
> rich (cunnigham)
>