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Thea Zimmer's avatar

(Joey from WAC here . . . ) Pynchon was working with a lot of the themes/ ideas/ archetypes we've all been scrambling to bring into digital-era relevance (mostly unsuccessfully). I think DFW came the closest with Infinite Jest, but that doesn't discredit TP for his post-beat/pre-internet prescient contributions. "You (. , ; etc.) never did (. , ; etc.) the Kenosha Kid (. , ; etc.)" AI can't even do Flarf! (although, I'm trying to teach it . . .)

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Robin Mulvihill's avatar

Great read, thanks.

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Christopher Childers's avatar

Great article I need to spend a bit more time with, but very helpful, as I just read Vineland and did not care for it, probably for similar reasons as DFW, to judge from his gnomic verdict. But I also had a hard time getting beneath the chaotic surface of it, which you have managed to do elegantly.

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Jefferson Everest Crawford's avatar

One of the best things I’ve read on Pynchon, especially from a left POV regarding American history …applause

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Brady Nash's avatar

Wow, wasn't expecting to see Meditations on the Tarot in here. Book has been sitting in my shopping cart. Is it destiny or consumerism!!? Lol, great article though.

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Gnostic Pulp's avatar

I, for one, think that means you’re meant to order it. One of the most important books on my shelf. It certainly requires your full commitment, but the reward is worth the effort.

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Brady Nash's avatar

Scott Mannion and Michael Martin (The Druid Who Stares Back) recommended it to me. Definitely sounds intriguing.

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Christopher Hellstrom's avatar

I am rereading in anticipation of the Paul Thomas Anderson film so this hits the spot!

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Emil Ottoman's avatar

Well Pynchon is invoked in the title so I must read this.

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Jacob Boyd's avatar

Great read I loved the breakdown! There isn’t much talk about Vineland which is unfortunate because it’s one of my favorites from Pynchon.

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Thea Zimmer's avatar

really interesting. now i must read the novel!

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