tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post965273697951017440..comments2024-03-27T05:13:25.241-05:00Comments on The New Dork Review of Books: On the Occasion of Finishing Gravity's Rainbow: A Conversation With Tom PynchonGreg Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-15215462967836991502020-08-31T14:34:53.243-05:002020-08-31T14:34:53.243-05:00Nice review. Spoiler warning: I’m surprised more p...Nice review. Spoiler warning: I’m surprised more people don’t mention that the “protagonist” Slothrop disappears long before the novel ends, bizarrely turning into a “crossroads,” or the tarot Fool, or the astrological sign of Pisces, or something. Plus the fact that the rocket fired in Pirate Prentice’s dream, at the end, has turned into an atomic missile that is about to land on us, as we sit huddled in a theater having watched the film that is the book in the last few minutes before the world ends. I love me some Infinite Jest too, but it’s Gravity’s Rainbow that gives me chills when I think about it, all these years later.Glenn Thomas Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14833871186846823723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-1403859136464733682018-06-07T17:27:17.430-05:002018-06-07T17:27:17.430-05:00what if i told you that roman polanski is thomas p...what if i told you that roman polanski is thomas pynchon and he is traffiucking children with CIA FBI help and his books prove that he is the son of mass murderer of millions genrikh yagoda who was also publishing under the name b. traven. and romans son jj abrams wrote about about it all in a book called ship of theseus they fucked themselves by publishing their crimes xD Zillah Noirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08221528150276837417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-7778931544565844762014-11-10T12:21:12.836-06:002014-11-10T12:21:12.836-06:00I'm a couple hundred pages away from finishing...I'm a couple hundred pages away from finishing this book and am finishing it for the sole purpose of saying I've read this book. I enjoyed the first 100 or so pages, but the rest has just been gradually more and more frustrating. I've literally been pissed off about reading this book the past few days. I don't understand why he couldn't just continue on in the same style/manner as the first 100 pages. For context, I've read and enjoyed V and The Crying of Lot 49. Really disappointed that this one has been such a disaster. After enjoying V so much, I will still try his other books - but I don't think I'll ever agree with the critics who say this is the greatest Post WWII American novel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-36795570250717921762012-05-19T16:29:19.788-05:002012-05-19T16:29:19.788-05:00The thing that helped me get into Gravity's Ra...The thing that helped me get into Gravity's Rainbow after a few miss-starts was keeping a piece of paper and writing down the names and a short description of characters when they'd lasted a few pages or seemed like they'd be important. I drew lines between them and made notes on the more important relationships. It's an ugly mess, but having things in a visual format really let me keep track of things better. <br /><br />All in all, I liked the book. But not until a few days after I finished it and parts of it sunk in for me. XDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-71269801865027253332010-10-22T08:43:21.852-05:002010-10-22T08:43:21.852-05:00Hey Greg,
I also wanted to mention I'm readi...Hey Greg, <br /><br />I also wanted to mention I'm reading William Gaddis' J R right now, another novel commonly regarded as difficult. I think I'll use my halfway point update to describe my attitude about this sort of fiction more fully. <br /><br />Also, DO read "Inherent Vice" -- all the the lunacy of "Gravity's Rainbow," "V," and so forth, but much more engaging / mind-wrap-around-able. I'm gearing up to read "Against the Day," but that probably won't be for a good while yet, because I'm way too preoccupied with other verbose writers I've not yet gotten to.Matt Rowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13279336765708594789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-53031914577915948652010-10-19T22:46:37.183-05:002010-10-19T22:46:37.183-05:00I don't agree that there are only TWO kinds o...I don't agree that there are only TWO kinds of people in the world: Those who have read Gravity's Rainbow, and those who haven't. How about a category for those who keep trying, but don't get very far?!!! Well I suppose they'd be in the "haven't read it" category. But I had no idea there was a Guidebook! However, since I went so far as to purchase the annotated guide to Ulysses and couldn't get past the first chapter (the guidebook was more extensive than the book), I don't think I'll try GR (again) either. Like Sandy, I will just be happy that you finished it for us, and be satisfied with your excellent and thorough review!rhapsodyinbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-34929247991952993722010-10-15T18:05:20.438-05:002010-10-15T18:05:20.438-05:00Reading this was like having someone dare me to re...Reading this was like having someone dare me to read Gravity's Rainbow. And I'm not even kidding when I say that I'm actually starting to sweat because now I feel like I must read it.bookreviewfamilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08139401885172743419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-21988736749995520952010-10-15T14:59:10.765-05:002010-10-15T14:59:10.765-05:00@Sandy - Just finished The Art of Racing...Wow, yo...@Sandy - Just finished The Art of Racing...Wow, you're right - quite the emotional wallop, and jusssst a tad different than Gravity's Rainbow.<br /><br />@Jessica - Well, if it takes you six months, too, you'll make me feel a lot better about myself! ;) <br /><br />@lady T - Thanks! I'm happy to take that one for the team - but the team owes me!<br /><br />@Ellen - Ah, yeah - the halfway house scenes were just crazy. I loved the tennis academy scenes, personally. But really, I loved the whole thing. And you're right - it would be all but impossible to read it on a Kindle and derive anywhere approaching the same amount of enjoyment as the flesh and blood book.<br /><br />@Melody - I've heard Lot 49 is one of Pynchon's more accessible books, but then again, anything is easier than GR. Good luck!<br /><br />@Jeff - Glad to hear an endorsement for Against the Day and Inherent Vice. I know Pynchon has his fiercely loyal followers, and it can't be for no reason - so I really do want to try something else by him, and I love the premise behind Against the Day, and the fact that Inherent Vice is relatively short. ;)Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-40044512072129064872010-10-15T13:32:24.527-05:002010-10-15T13:32:24.527-05:00Definitely read Against The Day and Inherent Vice,...Definitely read Against The Day and Inherent Vice, and also Vineland. I think Pynchon really did come to the conclusion, like you said, that if people don't want to finish his books, the books have failed. Everything after GR is much more pleasant to follow.Jeff Picansohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10083420422598260728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-27029240387865517222010-10-15T09:47:37.580-05:002010-10-15T09:47:37.580-05:00What a great idea for this review! Pynchon's &...What a great idea for this review! Pynchon's "Lot 49" is in my to-review pile, and though it was short, I honestly have no idea what it was about. Glad to see it's not just me.Melodyhttp://www.melodyandwords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-84537736078715424092010-10-14T14:21:53.062-05:002010-10-14T14:21:53.062-05:00Greg, I did like IJ, but it's one for a reread...Greg, I did like IJ, but it's one for a reread. DFW is one of my favorite authors, but I left for Peace Corps halfway through IJ and made the mistake of buying it on my kindle rather than lugging the book along. It really is one you need to be able to hold and write in and flip back and forth in, and I'm planning to reread it when I'm back in touch with my hard copy. Pretty much every halfway house scene in the book killed me, and I think those are the ones that are gonna get me to pick up IJ again.Ellenhttp://fatbooks.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-1673003700243781532010-10-14T12:33:26.244-05:002010-10-14T12:33:26.244-05:00Nice witty approach to reviewing Gravity's Rai...Nice witty approach to reviewing Gravity's Rainbow there,Greg. Much too scary for me to tackle but glad to see you take one for the team:)lady thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287907577241697874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-62981405551598116942010-10-14T03:52:22.375-05:002010-10-14T03:52:22.375-05:00This book is on my American project list and I had...This book is on my American project list and I had no idea until now of its reputation LOL Perhaps I should start in now in the hope it'll be read in six months?Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08861424110678889637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-84776936769865764082010-10-13T16:28:36.072-05:002010-10-13T16:28:36.072-05:00You are a better man (or person) than I. Thanks f...You are a better man (or person) than I. Thanks for reading it for me. I don't have the mental skill or stamina for such things. As for The Art of Racing in the Rain, it blew my heart into two million pieces.Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-80290720423785534522010-10-13T16:03:49.411-05:002010-10-13T16:03:49.411-05:00@Rebecca - You're right, it is about as differ...@Rebecca - You're right, it is about as different as you can get. I do like Enzo's story - it's touching. But let's remember, at one point in August, I was reading Harry Potter and Gravity's Rainbow at the same time, so the literary schizophrenia isn't exactly new for me. Nice review, also - I love Enzo's voice so far, too!<br /><br />@Thomas - That's sort of how I felt until I started thinking about literary goals for 2010 - and Gravity's Rainbow sort of surfaced as the one book I'd been putting off the longest. This book is the definition of disjointed narrative. The LONGEST section is only about 30 pages, and hardly and sections are continuous from the one before it.<br /><br />@Matt - Thank you for thoughtful, extraordinarily well-written comment. I love your penultimate line. You're absolutely right - experimental fiction like Pynchon and DFW, IS a matter of taste. And even if you enjoy experimental stuff, still not all will appeal. I LOVE Infinite Jest - easily in my top 5 of all time. But just totally lumbered through GR - I couldn't wait for it to be over. You're right that many sections of GR are stunning, hilarious and/or brilliant. At the risk of sounding like a Dan Brown fan, it was just TOO hard for me to derive any sort of continuous entertainment from it. I'd start reading an episode and realize a few paragraphs in that I had no idea how this connected, or that it was background, or another drug-induced hallucination, and would almost whine in frustration, knowing that meaning would probably out of reach (if there was any to be had), like my dog whines when he trees a squirrel and can't reach it. And finally, yes, I love the opening line too. <br /><br />@Rarelydusty - Thanks for the link to your review - very interesting! I love these lines: "...the characters of this book are searching for something. Whether or not it is actually there, or really matters, is in the eye of the beholder." That's exactly how I felt as a reader.<br /><br />@Joel - "Pynchon's novel has proven resistant to restless eyes..." HA! No truer words have ever been written. David Foster Wallace said a good novel should teach you how to read it - and I don't think Pynchon's ever really did, except to suggest you read it again. But your tips on how to read it are making me rethink that. Though I did read carefully, and did go back looking for clues, I never really put enough thought into HOW I should approach each episode. If I didn't understand it right away, I sort of just assumed it'd be a part I was supposed to get. Anyway...thanks for that link - enjoyed it!Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-6628534821321669602010-10-13T15:47:43.008-05:002010-10-13T15:47:43.008-05:00What a great way to review that particular book; I...What a great way to review that particular book; I loved it.Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-59325821342885833872010-10-13T15:46:04.742-05:002010-10-13T15:46:04.742-05:00@Brenna - Thanks for the congrats. You're righ...@Brenna - Thanks for the congrats. You're right - this is anything but a traditional book. <br /><br />@Ellen - Did you like Infinite Jest? It's one of my favorite books of all time, and is actually a lot easier than GR. I love your professor's story. I have a similar one: A friend of mine also started it three separate times, and after he gave up 120 pages in on the third try, he literally burned the book so as not to be tempted to try again.<br /><br />@Erin - Thanks for the congrats! And thanks for the kind words. Definitely, definitely, definitely try Infinite Jest. That book, I loved!<br /><br />@Red - Hey, glad I could help. I sort of knew what I was getting myself into when I started, but knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn't have read it either! <br /><br />@Suzanne - Ha! I love inter-review - I wish I would've thought of that. Well done!Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-62707088322808319062010-10-13T14:43:19.293-05:002010-10-13T14:43:19.293-05:00Funny to compare your post with this one, both fro...Funny to compare your post with this one, both from this week:<br /><br />http://www.jeffvandermeer.com/2010/10/13/reading-gravitys-rainbow-first-75-pages-initial-contact/Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17756263900553410305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-19859544017872863242010-10-13T13:38:51.589-05:002010-10-13T13:38:51.589-05:00I hear you on the difficulty (and ultimate reward)...I hear you on the difficulty (and ultimate reward) of reading GR. It took me three attempts (and successfully making it through Finnegans Wake) to finally get through it, but I'm glad I finally did. A lot of it I didn't understand, but what I did, I liked a great deal. I got a bit trapped by the paranoiac in myself and <a href="http://rarelydusty.com/2010/08/29/review-gravitys-rainbow-thomas-pynchon/" rel="nofollow">my review</a> reflects that a bit.<br /><br />I actually just finished up Inherent Vice and liked it great deal, but it seemed so slight after reading GR and Crying of Lot 49.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-70320129224725756082010-10-13T13:17:01.327-05:002010-10-13T13:17:01.327-05:00My favorite scenes typically involve Tyrone Slothr...My favorite scenes typically involve Tyrone Slothrop (incidental anagram: sloth or entropy) and his eating all those awful candies at the behest of the British woman he was seeing and her elderly mother or grandmother? And when he ends up in France after its liberation and begins his trek around post war Europe searching for god knows what. I liked the various persona he needed to affect (such as The Rocket Man, The Russian Officer in Tchitcherine's garb, and The Pig Hero (which the latter is an especially amusing episode). <br /><br />I think you had the right idea with respect to going into reading this novel. It can't be read from a traditional standpoint. It begs you to take bits and pieces you find agreeable but it's impossible in the truest sense to love the holistic whole; it doesn't want to be contained. <br /><br />My first go round with it I was at a complete loss for words. It was the first big work of experimental fiction I ever attempted. I gave up after 100 pages and tried some of Pynchon's more "accessible" fair, with which I faired far better. Returned to GR, and enjoyed the first 100 pages most of all, when I think the narrative is probably least out of control / most comprehensible in a linear way. The adenoid reference required some effort but made sense and was a strange image. Pirate Prentice's banana pancakes, and all that phallic imagery. Plus the first line: "A screaming comes across the sky . . ." -- brilliant. <br /><br />Ultimately, my assessment is: Pynchon shouldn't be passed over for fear, but for tastes. IF you don't like fiction that gets experimental there is plenty of Jonathan Franzen to go around.Matt Rowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13279336765708594789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-79345382321818972452010-10-13T13:11:34.124-05:002010-10-13T13:11:34.124-05:00Very funny post. I have never spent much time thin...Very funny post. I have never spent much time thinking about GR, but I had it in the back of my mind that I would tackle it at some point. After reading your review, I think I need to leave well enough alone and cross this one off the list. I have trouble with disjointed narratives and this one sounds like a doozy.Thomas Hogglestockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284352537015457974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-82679122144326499672010-10-13T12:56:53.077-05:002010-10-13T12:56:53.077-05:00Tee hee. And now you're reading The Art of Ra...Tee hee. And now you're reading <i>The Art of Racing in the Rain</i>...almost 180 degrees of difference there. Don't get me wrong, I loved Enzo's story (<a href="http://thebookfrog.blogspot.com/2009/07/art-of-racing-in-rain-by-garth-stein.html" rel="nofollow">here's my review</a>. But, still, what a turnaround! I can't wait to hear what you think of this one.Rebecca Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11497012798954379217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-21814434877701268792010-10-13T12:38:43.515-05:002010-10-13T12:38:43.515-05:00Congratulations for completing the novel and for a...Congratulations for completing the novel and for a great inter/re view. <br />I don't think this is a book I will pick up eitherSuzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027628103746160956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-74114735025470225742010-10-13T12:27:39.776-05:002010-10-13T12:27:39.776-05:00Congrats on making it through. I love this review...Congrats on making it through. I love this review and laughed out loud while reading a number of times (which was a little embarrassing, since I'm sitting in public and all).<br /><br />Like Erin, I don't think I'll be picking up Gravity's Rainbow so I want to thank you for that. I think you've saved me many frustrating nights.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456600806188531803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-45761469771785002542010-10-13T12:04:17.119-05:002010-10-13T12:04:17.119-05:00Congratulations on reaching the end! I don't t...Congratulations on reaching the end! I don't think I'll ever read Gravity's Rainbow, honestly. And though I loved how you "reviewed" the book -- clever, creative, entertaining, informative -- your comments have pretty much confirmed for me that I'm ok with my choice. So thanks! Maybe I'll go pick up Infinite Jest instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com