Pyn's Privacy

[bandwraith at aol.com]

Well, that's true, but most men are homely, if not ugly, and by the Navy foto he's at least pleasantly ugly, in a swarthy sort of way- more than sufficient for the three legged sex. No need to cite Belmondo, or other examples. It was more the whole package, I think- a hyper-acute consciousness, combined with being tall, gawky, etc., that really set the stage for feeling very much the outsider. That, and being sent upstate to Cornell as a callow youth had to be somewhat disconcerting- easy prey for the likes of worldly and suave Farina. 

He held his own, of course, but the sudden glare of fame and how to deal with it, may have sent him packing. As bright as he is, before too long, he must have begun to realize the artistic advantages of maintaining his aloofness, beyond the convenience of not having to deal with the media. Eventually, it became his trademark.

And BTW, I agree that his behavior is fair game for this speculation. I'm sure he's not offended, at least he shouldn't be. Just more grist for the mill, on the way to the bank.


-----Original Message-----
From: malignd <malignd at aol.com>
To: pynchon-l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Thu, May 9, 2013 5:40 pm
Subject: Re: Pyn's Privacy


Well, Pynchon isn't Hank Williams.  This cockeyed notion that, were he not private to the extent that he seems to many ti be reclusive, that he'd be hounded by paparazzi, is absurd.  He's created this situation.  Is there any major writer who was inordinately denied his privacy?  Roth, Gaddis, Bellow, Delillo, Heller, etc. -- all dealt with the press occasionally, but didn't suffer any particular loss of privacy. So yes, I think he's phobic.  I mentioned this once before and was taken to task for tastelessness, but the man is notably homely.  He may be sensitive about his looks and that's what's afoot.



-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Cissell <macissell at yahoo.es>
To: Rev'd Seventy-Six <revd.76 at gmail.com>; pynchon-l <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Thu, May 9, 2013 5:49 am
Subject: Pyn's Privacy


Yeh, I saw the link - it's not for me. Deleted. Do I need the photo? no.
I've made the argumetn before, he is no recluse or introverted weirdo. And I 
on't think it's a gimmik either. (It is almost funny how the real story of the 
ime photographers got turned into him "jumping out a window and running off 
nto the desert", almost.)
Siegel (I think) claimed TP was upset by M. Monroe's death, and why not; it 
eems plausible to me. But there were other examples of people being consumed by 
heir stardom. Consider the Hank Williams Sr. quote: "They're slicing me up and 
elling me like bologna." The mid 20th century saw the creation of The Big Fame 
achine, unknown human goes in and a package comes out; when it is rung dry you 
ind another. I think TP saw this behemouth growing and decided he didn't want 
o play along. By the time Kerouac drank himself to death, I bet TP was pretty 
appy that he had avoided all that publicity/ fame BS.
Of course it is interesting to see how he is trying to navigate this situation 
new and play the game by his rules, not those of the Big Media fame machine. 
an he work the machine without getting worked over? We'll see in the September 
pisode of Swift Tom and the Media Monster Machine.
ciao
c

________________________________
rom: Rev'd Seventy-Six <revd.76 at gmail.com>
o: Dave Monroe <against.the.dave at gmail.com>; "pynchon-l at waste.org" 
pynchon-l at waste.org> 
ent: Thursday, May 9, 2013 2:04 AM
ubject: Re: Every Known Picture of Thomas Pynchon

he man worked hard for his privacy. What's with this sick cult of
ersonality capitalism encourages, where fans and/or glory hounds
nsist on imposing their existence on a man who desires no
ntroduction? I like his books. I know him from his books. I think
hat's where the fence is positioned. If he wanted any old busybody to
ross it he'd be eating in Ralph's Big Boy at two thirty every
fternoon.
Media... pffft.
On 5/8/13, Dave Monroe <against.the.dave at gmail.com> wrote:
 http://www.bookofjoe.com/2009/08/every-known-picture-of-thomas-pynchon.html

 The Truth about Thomas Pynchon

 http://www.verifiedfacts.org/i/pynchon/NDEwNjYw


- 
ttp://posthistoricpress.blogspot.com/


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