version's Thomas Pynchon masterclass
- Thread starter Mr. Tea
- Start date
luka
Well-known member
Version have you read this thing from Pynchon? It's quite rare it's called
The Last Resort
I posted it here https://deepmeditationtherapy.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-last-resort-perfidious-cornetto.html
The Last Resort
I posted it here https://deepmeditationtherapy.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-last-resort-perfidious-cornetto.html
It didn't bother me, but I can see how it could. He rags on his old stuff in the Slow Learner intro for having things tossed in he didn't really have much to say about or didn't understand for the sake of presenting a certain image. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happened there, just tossed in a weird mathematical name for the sake of it.
He's one of those like Kubrick or Joyce or Lynch who've managed to build an image for themselves where what would be taken as a misstep or shallow by another is suddenly imbued with mystery and simply another part of the great master's plan.
Mr. Tea
Let's Talk About Ceps
No, I agree. That's nearly as bad as some of the names JKR used in the Harry Potter books. "Professor Sprout", etc. - in fact I think there was even a Professor Vector!
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constant escape
winter withered, warm
Ah wonderful, I started Gravity's Rainbow last week, as per some of the recommendations here. Maybe too early to say, but the naming in general doesn't seem to bother me (example, Constant Slothrop and his son Variable).
Could it be something like this: we have persisted so far into any kind of postmodern sensibility that when the return to sincerity arrives, everything is fair game, and even the most transparently meta / world-breaking techniques become viable for world-building?
Could it be something like this: we have persisted so far into any kind of postmodern sensibility that when the return to sincerity arrives, everything is fair game, and even the most transparently meta / world-breaking techniques become viable for world-building?
IdleRich
IdleRich
I guess you can't read everything but seems worth checking out at least book by these kinda classic guys... I dunno, I don't think he's one of the best, wouldn't be surprised if he's less highly rated in the future whereas George Elliot for example won't be. Though obviously that's just a complete random opinion I just pulled out of my arse.
Mr. Tea
Let's Talk About Ceps
I've not deliberately avoided Dickens, just never got round to him. Maybe I should read some next after I'm done with GR. I think he's mean to have been a big influence on Dostoyevski, and I thought Crime and Punishment was amazing when I read it some while back. Actually Dosto is another author I should read more of.
IdleRich
IdleRich
I'm being kinda grumpy and prescriptive I guess. Read what you like obviously. Dickens "that entertainer" is fairly inessential anyway (if enjoyable) I guess. Personally, like literally for me, I think it's best to read as many periods of literature as you can and home in on what you like after that but to say it should be a rule for anyone is pretty stupid. I take it back basically.
Woebot
Well-known member
try "Bleak House" Tea - that's my fave. highly recommended.
Kafka too apparently.
Mr. Tea
Let's Talk About Ceps
I've been busy in the day with house stuff and the baby and whatnot, so I'm only up to about page 34. It's very readable but it remains to be seen if I have as much tolerance for the flights of fancy as I did when I first read it. I've already decided to skip the wacky songs.
I wonder how it'll compare to Catch 22? Because I re-read that recently too, and I suppose it's "the" other great satirical/surreal pomo WWII novel - even down to the central character being a pensive, womanising 'lovable scoundrel'. I think the naming of a minor character in GR as 'DeCoverly' must be a shout-out to the earlier novel.