I was unable to get very far into Gravity's Rainbow, although I wanted to. I was younger then and less patient—perhaps I should pick it up again.
For anyone wondering about Pynchon, I can say that The Crying of Lot 49 I did find approachable and it has made quite a lasting impression. It's not too long or too dense. And you may find a reference or two that have been subsumed by our greater culture. (As an example, I understood the reference when I saw Radiohead's fan club was called W.A.S.T.E..)
Gravity's Rainbow was a favorite in my 20s. I recently turned 40 and picked it up again, but something was different: the chapter pertaining to African-Americans are incredibly dated.
Having said that, check out the illustrated "Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon's Novel Gravity's Rainbow."
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[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 17.6 ms ] threadFor anyone wondering about Pynchon, I can say that The Crying of Lot 49 I did find approachable and it has made quite a lasting impression. It's not too long or too dense. And you may find a reference or two that have been subsumed by our greater culture. (As an example, I understood the reference when I saw Radiohead's fan club was called W.A.S.T.E..)
Having said that, check out the illustrated "Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon's Novel Gravity's Rainbow."
Against the Day is life changing.