IVIV (1) Intro

[John Carvill]

> Tore

> Yeah, back when AtD was published, it certainly felt like his last novel,
> like a summation of what had gone before. I even went out on a limb and
> made a prophecy to that effect:
>
> http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l&month=0611&msg=111748&sort=date
>
> - and who looks stupid now? I guess I should hand in my prophet credentials.
> Still, AtD does feel like a summation; like Pynchon's last BIG statement.
> I was mighty surprised when IV followed so closely on the heels of AtD,
> but having read the novel a couple of times, I'm damn glad that it did.
> More, please.


Well, who could have disagreed with you at the time? The sheer size of
ATD, and how it thematically seemed to, as you pointed out, come 'full
fuickin circle', singling up all lines, etc. sure seemed to strongly
suggest 'The End'.

The news of IV was very surprising indeed. We can only speculate
whether Pynchon had IV planned (and maybe even written) all along, or,
having git ATD off his chest, he decided to try something lighter. Who
knows? And who knows what other surprises he has in store for us?

If IV is his very last book, then I would still tend to think of ATD
as his real 'last' book. Something like how 'Let it Be' is technically
the Beatles' last album, since its release was delayed, whereas 'Abbey
Road' is regarded as the group's real final statement.