Robert Coover R.I.P

[matthew cissell]

Howdy,

So, way back in the 90's while at university studying literature the
term "postmodern" had grown to a massive hum intoned by its integrants
and acolytes. I thought I should sit a course on the subject:
Postmodern Literature. The young professor informed us on the first
day that the "old white guys" were over-represented in the genre and
that she would focus on other authors. So we got "The Female Man" by
Joanna Russ and "Dictee" by Theresa Kyung Cha. But no old white guys.
No Pynchon or Barth or Gaddis. But most shockingly, in hindsight, no
Robert Coover. Now, I say that because I was at Southern Illinois
University (where Coover had studied), just about an hour away from
where the mine disaster occurred in 1951 on which Coover based his
first book. I could add that Washington University was less than 3
hours away where William Gass was teaching and Gaddis had taught.

Only with time and perspective do we realize how education has failed
us. Correcting course is not easy.

I wonder if Pynchon has read The Origin of the Brunists. It does seem
to have some tie-ins with AtD.

ciao
mc