What Do You Want from Fiction?

[David Ewers]

I'd say all of those things, and many more.  At risk of sounding corny, I think of fiction as a profound form of two-way, imagination to imagination communication (it's a hard thing to put into words, ha ha... but there's life in it; I'll say that much...)

I very much relate to your description of Pynchon's writing and its effects (I'd vote for V., but I get what you mean about GR).  I also can relate to you about the dissatisfaction.  I suspect you're right that Pynchon is himself unsure.  At the same time, if I thought he was sure, I wouldn't trust him.  Would you?  To state the obvious, maybe, I'd say his writing invites us to embrace the uncertainty (what choice do we have, if we're being honest?); not by believing nothing, but by believing everything.  Say yes and go from there.  I like to think that's my policy anyway.  It makes life more fun, and it makes reading Pynchon's books a blast, given all the great, bizarre stuff he gives us to play with.  I love trying to achieve that strange synthesis (or whatever...) with ideas, etc.  I've gotten that achieving-synthesis feeling many times reading Mr. Pynchon, and the feeling is "real" and sublime.

So is it satisfying?  My annoying answer is, Yes and no, so yes. 



On Apr 1, 2015, at 6:58 PM Jolly good day we are having, David Morris wrote:

> A Consumer Question: What motivates your reading of fiction?
> Boredom? Truth-seeking! Aesthetics? Hunger for...
> 
> For me Pynchon has always represented someone who is trying to understand and then message his understanding of "Reality."  He does so by constantly portraying the perspective of many loony historical examples. We are invited to scoff!  But underneath, there is sincerity. In GR he is his most "Mystic," and that is why it is my favorite. Yet I have always felt a dissatisfaction with GRs leading questions met with unknowing, it feels like, despite the sincerity, Pynchon is himself usure. That uncertainty is morally good. But is it satisfying?
> 
> Just a Question.
> 
> David Morris 
> 
> I think most seek self with identify witty, but his love of the world gvdsa
> 
>  
> 

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