Classics Book Club of NY
Classics Book Club of NY
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Thomas Pynchon Gravity's Rainbow (1973) "For a group that conquered Ulysses, I'm sure GV is a walk in the park" -Stan. "I read it a few years ago. Pynchon is very intelligent, perhaps too intelligent for his own good, and a lot of it went over my head. If you do endure the book however, the ending is amazing, Pynchon ties together the hundred or so ideas running throughout the book into one mindblowing verbiage." -Eric "For those interested in a slight glimpse of Thomas Pynchon, who is a recluse that puts J.D. Salinger to shame (no photographs of him exist since around the time he was in college, I believe, and even his publisher doesn’t know what he looks like) his actual voice, playing himself, will be on "The Simpsons", this Sunday, January 25th, at 8 p.m., Channel 5 (Fox). He will appear in the animated show with a paper bag over his head. Apparently, Bart Simpson’s wife, Marge, is writing a novel and she requests criticism from Pynchon and of Tom Clancy (who also plays himself, but without a paper bag over his head.)"-Ken "If anyone, like me, needs significant help in decoding “Gravity’s Rainbow,” there is a book called, “A Gravity’s Rainbow Companion” by Steven Weisenburger. There are also several websites that include helpful synopses of each episode, and other information. and criticism Some are: San Narciso Community College Thomas Pynchon Home Page The Modern World: Thomas Ruggles Pynchon Jr. - spermatikos logos A synopsis of Gravity's Rainbow from rec.arts.books NYT (1973) One of the Longest, Most Difficult, Most AmbitiousNovel in Years by Richard Locke. -Ken & Larry
"Pulitzer Jurors Dismayed on Pynchon", New York Times May 8, 1974. All three members of the Pulitzer Prize jury on fiction expressed distress and bewilderment yesterday that their unanimous recommendation for a prize for Thomas Pynchon's 'Gravity's Rainbow' had been turned down and that no fiction award was given this year. ... Other members of the 14-member board, which makes recommendations on the 18 Pulitzer Prize categories ... had described the Pynchon novel during their private debate as "unreadable," "turgid," "overwritten," and in parts "obscene." One member editor said he had tried hard but had only gotten a third of the way through the 760-page book.
"Self-indulgent mishmash." - Carey
"I began to question my capacity for Literature." -Dennis
"I’ve been led to understand that the (book) might include a theme that focuses on the moral corruption of modern society, that merits its destruction. Perhaps bin Laden has read the book… !" -Ken
"I modestly make the following proposal: We all read whatever we wish and come to the next meeting prepared to discuss our selections, without divulging what they are, and respond to each other's comments based upon what we've each read. I think such a discussion will capture the ordered disorder of Pynchon's work." -Carey
"Because this book is so random like the rockets to an extent - just let the book fall open and just read a few pages. Maybe it would be more enjoyable to read this book that way." -Patricia
"The History Channel has recently run a documentary of the development of the V-1 ("doodle" or "buzz bomb") and of the V-2, including the instrumental part Werner von Braun played in their development. It helps explain a lot of what is going on in GR. I am finding that a second reading of it is much easier going. I believe it is a magnificent work of genius, and still understandable to the layman." -Andy
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