Pynchon lovers/experts, I need your help
A couple of years ago I’ve read the crying of lot 49 and I think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever read. I still think about it frequently and I’d love to read it again.
I’m used to post-modern, “weird” and more experimental literature but still, it was quite a challenge for me considering that English is not my first language. I struggled sometimes but I was able to grasp the core of the book and see Pynchon’s genius through it.
After this, my final goal was reading one of his two magnum opus: V or Gravity’s Rainbow. However I was scared considering the length and the aforementioned difficulties with what is considered one of his “easiest” and more commercial works.
So I tried to progress slowly by reading Vineland (I’ve been avoiding Inherent Vice because I’ve watched and loved the film and I generally don’t like reading books if I’ve already watched the film, I prefer the opposite).
Unfortunately, I really didn’t like Vineland. Struggled to follow the plot, didn’t care about the characters (whereas as someone who is really sensitive about how female characters are portrayed in books and films, I think Oedipa from The Crying is one of the coolest female protagonists ever) and struggled even more with the complex prose, probably because I didn’t care as much. Also, I loved the psychedelic vibe of The crying, but here it was a bit too much. I really forced myself to finish it.
My experience with Vineland really discouraged me from reading his more complex works.
That said, what’s your opinion ? Maybe my relationship with Pynchon is supposed to stop at The crying of lot 49 ? Are his major works much more complicated in your opinion ? Also, very important, which one would you recommend between the two considering my experience ? Any type of similar experiences or suggestions would be really helpful.
by Erodiade
2 Comments
Gravitys Rainbow is even more complicated than Lot 49 or Vineland, but is worth the commitment. It is one of the most bizzare, absurd, funny and casually disturbing works of art. Its a reading experience I can say really changed me
umm, i guess my username gives away that i’m also a pretty big col49 fan. I’ve read and enjoyed both V and gravity’s rainbow (maybe enjoyed is the wrong word; “been amazed by” might be more appropriate).
i don’t actually think V is necessarily more complicated than col49. in fact, i think there are plenty of thematic similarities between the two. it’s also, IMHO, significantly easier to follow than gravity’s rainbow.
gravity’s rainbow is…immense. the plot is all over the place, all over many places. it’s the kind of book that requires a reader’s guide if you’re trying to catch even half of the allusions pynchon is making.
based on what you wrote, i think you might really get into V. i’d probably say to try that one first (it’s significantly better than vineland, i promise). depending on your experience with V, you can decide whether you still have an interest in tackling gravity’s rainbow