Submitted by IHad360K_KarmaDammit t3_ybrkgp in todayilearned
Reply to comment by MySistersCumSock in TIL that the famous author Thomas Pynchon has avoided publicity during his fifty-year career to the point that almost all known photos of him are from the 1950s. However, he voiced himself in two episodes of The Simpsons, where his dialogue consisted entirely of puns on the titles of his books. by IHad360K_KarmaDammit
In my experience, they are like any other obsessive fan group, albeit sharper and better read. They make a lot of corny in-jokes and assume everyone else in the world shares their interest in Pynchon. Harmless guys overall. Many of my friends who geeked out for Pynchon were also Pink Floyd fanatics, if that gives you any more context. Probably not. Anyway, they were fascinated by the eccentric side of Pynchon, which I found tiresome and juvenile. His books aren't enjoyable to read and sometimes his fans act like their appreciation for him is a sign of their intelligence. To me, it simply means they have the time and patience to slog through deliberately meandering and zany fiction by an author who is gifted and smart enough to know better.
His novels are brilliant, and they’re a blast to read. Comments like this always imply that people who enjoy his writing are pretentious, but whenever you find a discussion about Pynchon, the long and condescending comments are always from insufferable people who feel like it’s their job to make sure no one enjoys his work.
If anyone is acting like their preferences are a sign of their intelligence, it’s the stuffy, enlightened redditors who look down their noses at whatever they don’t like.
Well, now we have two well-written, reasonable statements of opposite opinions. I can’t decide one way or the other - you’ll have to take it to the octagon.
This is reddit; they have to duel with narwhal tusks and bacon weave shields. It's tradition
I would SO watch that show
calls FOX immediately
In honor of DFW I challenge you to a tennis match.
So similar to David Foster Wallace fans then? Not surprising that Pynchon was a huge influence on DFW.
Pynchon has a much better sense of humor IMO.
I've only read Infinite Jest. Haven't read any Pynchon. Which novel would you suggest I start on of his? Gravity's Rainbow? The Crying of Lot 49? V.? Inherent Vice?
I’m not the person you were asking, but I do have an answer! Broadly, he has a few very long novels and a few more not very long novels. Most people would recommend starting with one of the not very long ones.
Personally, I think Inherent Vice would be a good one to start with. It’s funny, super readable, and you have PTA’s film adaptation to look forward to when you’re done. I’ve heard of other Pynchon fans who don’t love that one as much as I do though, so ymmv. The canonical answer is probably Lot 49.
Another consideration is Bleeding Edge—not many (including me) would call it their favorite Pynchon, but r/ThomasPynchon is starting a reading group for it next month, if that’s your thing. If it isn’t your thing, though, I’d still start with IV (but I do think BE is underrated).
Gravity’s Rainbow is great and probably my personal favorite, but a lot of Pynchon fans seem to prefer his other epics (Mason & Dixon and Against the Day), and all three are very distinct stylistically. Mostly, when you see people hating on Pynchon like above, it’s because they tried and failed to get through GR—so I definitely wouldn’t recommend starting with it. I do really love it though.
Thanks for the reply!
I honestly had a hard time with Infinite Jest. Read like the first 100 pages on Google Books preview and was really lost. Decided to buy a used copy and tried getting through that monstrosity of a book.
I eventually did. Took several months. Found it hard to read for long stretches of time. There were definitely parts/passages/lines I liked in it, but man, it's such a beast of a book to tackle.
I've heard similar complaints about Gravity's Rainbow as well.
Maybe I'll try Inherent Vice or The Crying of Lot 49 first.
The Crying of Lot 49. It's every Pynchon trope condensed into 120 pages. If you like it, then read Gravity's Rainbow.
Thanks. Gonna read the free preview on Google Books and if I like it I'll give it a go.
See I feel you just described why I like Pynchon and hate Wallace...
I feel Pynchon is funny and plays with you. DFW is the snobby "I shall walk you through the spires of my intellect... Till you see how clever I am..."
Much better than self-proclaimed fans of non-fiction authors like Adam Smith... who generally don't understand any of his theory and can quote two sentences from a single famous book.
What books have you read of his?
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