Thomas Pynchon

What do you all think about this author Anon? and also is there like some kind of biography of him?

I think that reading his work can lead you into madness.  I also think that most people can't read some of his more dense stuff.

Start with The Crying of Lot 49. It will melt your brain, and it's short.

As far as biography, I dunno.  He's reclusive as hell, to the point that there aren't even photos of him out there.

OP here and there are about three photos of him that I have seen.
Thanks anon for the story.

>>2
What's so difficult about the simple act of reading Pynchon??

>>4
what is the simplicity of it?

>>5
You look at words on paper and interpret them. Often in relation to other words on that paper. Sometimes it might help to take out a dictionary? Or maybe look up a reference you don't understand on Wikipedia. It's also cool to read some criticism afterwords for things you might not have been able to pick up on your own while reading the book. simplE

>>6
I concur

>>6

To be fair to >>2, I think acknowledging the density of Pynchon's prose is a compliment to his writing ability, not meant as a negative point.

Personally, the first time I read Pynchon was on a bus driving through the city and after a couple of pages I had to stop and continue at home cause I couldn't give it my full attention. He writes with a rhythm that can look strange when you aren't in that frame of mind.

Elmore Leonard has a similar habit of writing like it's the spoken word. He omits words that don't change the meaning of the sentence when spoken, but in written form look like a typo. Once you are thinking like him, though, it's not hard to read.

ITT: people who hven't made it through Gravity's Rainbow

I finished Gravity's Rainbow a few days ago. It was my second try - I got roughly 450pgs in before giving up the first time.

It's definitely not impossible to read, but it takes some serious concentration. I didn't like it when Pynchon went on some tangents about certain subjects, but that's just me. I recommend reading either The Crying of Lot 49 or V. to start off with before attempting GR.

Anyone read Mason & Dixon? How does it compare?

If you actually have that much trouble reading Pynchon then I'm afraid you're just fucking stupid and you should probably stop reading books. Hope this helps

>>!2

never read Pynchon.  faggot

>>13
No, I'm just much smarter than you.

>>9
Because of this thread I looked into Gravity's Rainbow and am now reading it.