ATDTDA 671ff

[David Morris]

On Jan 19, 2008 2:18 AM, Michael Bailey <michael.lee.bailey at gmail.com> wrote:

> David wrote:
> > All these questions don't mean ATD is good writing, for a host of reasons, least of which is the 900+ page count.
>
>
> I'm probably as unlikely to change your mind about it as you mine*, but you often make good points, so...
> "a host of reasons, David?   And what might they be, pray tell?"

You want me to list the faults I see with ATD?  That wouldn't gain me
friends nor converts I suspect.  The *writing* just isn't up to
Pynchon's par, and that fact is exacerbated by the extreme length of
the book.  You say Vineland made you swoon?  Not me.  GR is his
masterpiece.  V is second - less mature but just as adventurous and
beautiful.  Then M&D - maybe 2nd to GR also, but in a different way.

Portions of ATD are beautiful, but even some of the finer prose
sections seem like Pynchon just going through the motions, like a
cliche of himself.  Then so much of it is just rambling on & on with a
multitude of characters who might as well have never existed.  For
contrast just pick up GR anywhere and start reading.  It is so much
more pointed, and when it diverges it is always for a very good
reason.

I think the anger/injustice/vengeance/karma theme is ATD's strongest
thread.  It binds together the stories of so many characters in the
book, and is probably the best reason for reading ATD, despite its
other flaws.

David Morris