The Anonymous and TP - for Kai

[Matthew Cissell]

Sir,

    I opened and read your response to my post (Anonymity & TP) because 
I thought I might find some 

constructive criticism or useful comments. However, I am instead puzzled. Let me 

explain.

    Your answer to the rhetorical question that I used to introduce my subject 
seemed curt and dismissive. First, the rhetorical question (Die Rhetorische 
Frage ist eine Frageform, die keine Antwort erwartet.) was not the main point of 

the post, so why even bother with it? Moreover, if you're not interested, then 
why say 

anything? (By the way, in literary studies scholars often take note of what the 
author has 

read. You may think it misguided but it is a widespread practice.) It could seem 

provocative? I prefer to think something was lost in translation.

    Now for the more substantial part of your post. You say that you see TP's 
avoidance of the public light as a "marketing trick". If this is just your 
opinion, fine. However, if you are counterposing your position to mine than you 
will need to support your argument with more than cynical speculation. If you 
obtain copies of some TP's letters from the Harry Ransom Center in Austin Texas 
you will learn about the night in Mexico when he ducked the people from Time/ 
Life and that it was no marketing trick. Additionally, the use of embargoes on 
TP's novels since Vineland seems more an attempt to check the critics than to 
create an air of mystery. Publishers do do things to increase demand, but TP has 

a very solid readership and really has no need to try to reach a wider audience. 

It is not surprising to see others try to emulate this refusal to be seen (eg 
the Wachowski brothers refusal of interviews), and who is to say if it is a 
desire to maintain anonymity or an attempt to attain mystique.

    A couple more points. First, "hamster teeth"? Was ist los? I don't idolize 
TP &  I don't think people should rever him, but what about some common decency? 

Do you think that comment is cute? Is it in any way constructive? Let me save 
you the answer: no.

    Finally, I would consider myself very fortunate to make TP's acquaintance 
(though I wouldn't know what to say, maybe a word about reading practices), but 
I have no desire to track him down or whatever you think. Frankly, I don't 
understand the last part too well. 

 
    I hope you understand that although I don't consider your post a 
personal affront, I did feel the need to respond  to what I saw as impertinence, 
mockery, and, above all, counter arguments slovenly thought out. Do let me know 
if I have misunderstood something.

Sincerely,
Matthew C. Cissell
   



----- Original Message ----
From: Kai Frederik Lorentzen <lorentzen at hotmail.de>
To: pynchon -l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 12:16:26 PM
Subject: Re: The Anonymous and TP


On 08.02.2011 17:01, Matthew Cissell wrote:

>      Have you ever asked yourself what Pynchon reads or what news catches his
> eye?

No, never ...

> ... shared by Pynchon. If his avoidance of the public light and his Simpson
> appearance gag (only surpassed by having Professor Irwin Corey accept the
> National Book Award prize in TP's place) are not enough to support that, then 
>we
> also have a quote from AD that may be read as warning on the 'Wharholization' 
>of
> a person through the popular media.

Actually I see this "avoidance of the public light" more as a kind of marketing 
trick.
Might have been authentic in his early years when he still was shy. You know, 
the hamster teeth
and everything. But when Pynchon realized how much oh so mysterious reputation 
he was earning
with that hiding, he just stayed with it. I guess it's as simple as Michael 
Naumann once said on the radio: "If Pynchon would have done thousands and 
thousands of public readings like, say, Martin Walser, he would have lost too 
much time which he needed for research, writing and --- life". I mean, he gave 
away his voice (for the IV book trailer), those CNN pictures can easily be 
de-pixeled (plus: his way of walking is highly characteristic), the 
work-place-address of his wife and agent is just two mouse clicks away. All in 
all: You do not even have to hire a PI or someone. All you'd need  - in case 
you're
interested in meeting Thomas Pynchon as a person - is an airplane ticket plus 
some days of your time for the exact localization. He may would try to run away 
from you, though ...

KFL