A Reviewer's Hunch about Pynchon's Fans

[mikebailey at speakeasy.net]

I think the critic didn't want to spend the time sorting the book out.

I read lots of novels (my list isn't as impressive as some -
in the past couple years, I've read all the Kinky Friedman
detective stories, some Ann Tyler, Infinite Jest, almost all
the Tony Hillerman Hopi detective stories (set in 4 Corners country, btw)
some Martha Grimes, all the usual suspects in SF including
Neal Stephenson, etc etc) and find the novelistic pastime worthwhile.

I don't think Pynchon is primarily a science novelist.  That he's 
well-versed in science is one of the things that make his books stand out, 
so that while reading them for the story, you can either learn
some scientific facts, or if you already knew them, then come to
think about them differently.

I think his own sidelong proclamation of himself as an historical novelist 
(in solidarity with that British guy) is interesting - and his 
knowledge of, and interest in, history might actually edge out the 
science thing.  

Robin has provided evidence of strong showings in occult and
anarchistic thought, too.  

Even still, I've always seen him more as a literary novelist, 
always and ever nodding to various other authors, 
conforming to and commenting on various critical trends,
and suggesting others.  He overtly mentions lots of writers,
and hints at still more, providing a trail worth following.  

But mostly, I like the stories he chooses to tell.  I read lots
of novels, of all genres, and enjoy them.  I don't think he lacks
in the characterization or plot development departments; I think
he works succinctly to move the story forward and create memorable
characters, and the more easily you move over the scientific/
political/philosphical/historical/lit-crit terrain, the
more you can tell it's not just there to test your education,
but to provide the background for the story.  The plots and
characters do interact and comment on each other, and the 
intelligence behind them is a kind one.

To veer off into "meta" territory is probably annoying (I remember
rehearsing a duet once with a fellow musician who kept halting
us to make these minor corrections in tempo, not even being
able to get through a whole measure) but something I saw recently
on the wallace-l is interesting: apparently DFW, unlike TRP, teaches
writing classes, and he said something about how putting a novel
out there is like calling somebody up during dinner: whatever you're
saying should be interesting enough to make it worthwhile, their
dinner getting cold.  I think this is overstated (and file it with
my other criticisms of Wallace, though he's very, very good) but
the fact there is so much "matter", such a wealth of "substance"
in Pynchon's books is a measure of the respect that he holds for
his readers...

...so in summing up, I see him both as a "Virgil", but also as
the singer of the Kirghiz Lights...