Mendelson's View of P's 2ble Vision

[David Robson]

That passage, while not incredibly illuminating, is not simply a throwaway.
Old v. new seems to be a theme in the book, and that passage seems to
exemplify that thread. Peyton Manning was part of a new generation of QB's,
Testaverde was much older, of a different ilk, past his prime, etc. Vinny
was the #1 pick in 1988, Manning #1 in 1998. Testaverde's also a NY guy,
born in Brooklyn.

Maybe Testaverde was the bleeding edge type of QB that Peyton would end up
being the cutting edge version of? Both won the Heisman trophy in college,
but Testaverde didn't win anything significant in the pros. He does hold
the record for most losses though.




On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM, <kelber at mindspring.com> wrote:

> Can you point to any specific passages, Mark? There were occasional bright
> spots, but too few to justify the slog through stuff like this:
>
> "The spread on the Jets-Indianapolis game Sunday is 2 points.Horst,
> regionally loyal as always, bets Ziggy and Otis a pizza that the Colts will
> win, which in fact they do in a 21-point walkover. Peyton Manning can do no
> wrong, Vinny Testaverde is a little less consistent, managing in the last
> five minutes for example to fumble on the Colts' 2-yard line to a defensive
> end who then proceeds to run the ball 98 yards to a touchdown, as
> Testaverde alone chases him up the field while the rest of the Jets look
> on, and Ziggy and Otis lapse into intemperate language their father doesn't
> see how he can call them out for."
>
> OK, he's starting off the "9-11" chapter. He wants to contrast the
> mundanity of everyday life with what's about to follow (which he can't
> bring himself to write about - "Bad turns to worse.") He flirts with the
> idea that Horst, who we know works at the Trade Center, is bonding
> tragically with his sons for the last time (Horst survives, not even
> bothering to call home). Well, what an incredible literary device! Who but
> Pynchon could be this clever? What other purpose does this tedious passage
> serve? Acute social observation? Satire of men bonding over sports?
> Enlighten me, because I have no idea.
>
> Pynchon has always had satire in his books, but I've never considered him
> a satirical writer. It's not his strong point, and if that's all he had to
> offer, I don't think we'd be here ranting and raving. The satire in this
> book is so painfully dated (like rehashes of All In the Family) and
> unfunny, it certainly isn't enough to carry the book. There's a lot of
> terrific satire about NYC (Bonfire of the Vanities) and pop culture (The
> Simpsons). Pynchon's is tepid and doesn't reward us with any fresh insights.
>
> Laura
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Markekohut **
> ******
>
> ************
> I also think there is some typically very fine writing, in some witty
> sentences, some usually short scenes and as social observation at the usu
> paragraph level...Pynchon did still write it.
>
> **
>
>
>
>
>  **
>
> ************
>
> - Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?listpynchon-l
>
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