Newish to Pynchon

[u/IgnatiusBaeReilly]

I read “Inherent Vice” about 2 years ago and absolutely loved it. This was my first foray into the world of Pynchon. I read up about the author immediately after I finished the book and was pleasantly surprised to find out he was a fellow odd dude. I was especially excited to learn he was also a fan of Roky Erickson, of whom I’m also a huge fan of. So next I’ve started reading “Gravity’s Rainbow” because I read that it won sci-fi book of the decade in the 70’s and thought the premise sounded cool. Well… I’m having a bit of difficulty with this one. It’s very interesting and strange but I find myself getting lost and not in a good way. Maybe this was intentional with the way he wrote this book, maybe not? I’m about 250 pages in and wondering if I should keep going or just try another of his works. Any suggestions or advice welcome.

[u/CosmicEveStardust]

Gravity's Rainbow is famously dense and hard to read.

I'd suggest Crying Of Lot 49 or one of his other newer detective novels.

And then maybe Against The Day.

[u/ZAH215 → u/CosmicEveStardust]

Unironically is Against the Day like the “final boss” of Pynchon’s canon?

[u/CosmicEveStardust → u/ZAH215]

I found it significantly easier than Mason&Dixon and my failed Gravity's Rainbow attempt.

I also found it a lot more readable than Vineland.

[u/ZAH215 → u/CosmicEveStardust]

Interesting. I just assumed because of its length that it was kinda of the end-all besides Gravity’s Rainbow

[u/CosmicEveStardust → u/ZAH215]

It's got comparatively stripped back prose, it can get confusing at times and is long but a lot of it is straight forward pulpy fun, a Sci fi adventure story, a western revenge story, a spy bisexual throuple sexcapade story etc.

[u/Slickrock_1 → u/ZAH215]

Against the Day is much much easier to read. It's still hilarious and absolutely full of erudition and ideas, but the writing is more straightforward. TBH Mason & Dixon isn't too hard either once you get used to the archaic spellings.

[u/IgnatiusBaeReilly → u/CosmicEveStardust]

I’ll do just that. Thanks for the recommendation.

[u/MoochoMaas]

GR is his most difficult and most rewarding, imo. It will get somewhat easier only to become even more dense at the end. No "normal person" will understand all of it , even with resourrces.
It definitely is "easier" the 2nd and subsequent reads, but ...

[u/snyderman3000]

The good news is that, at least in my opinion, there’s not much of a plot to lose. It’s just a narrative idea that threads through time and space. If you’re enjoying the experience of reading it, keep going. It’s really amazing. If you find it frustrating feeling so lost then there’s probably no need to continue. It won’t get any clearer on the first read.

Edit: I would actually recommend reading V. before Gravity’s Rainbow, almost like reading The Hobbit before LOTR to dip your toes into the world.

[u/IgnatiusBaeReilly → u/snyderman3000]

Ok that’s actually very helpful. Like I said I find it enjoyable and interesting just felt I was losing the plot.

[u/myshkingfh → u/IgnatiusBaeReilly]

And if you’re frustrated feeling so lost, so is Slothrop. 

[u/Gustastuff]

It’s ok to stop, read a different Pynchon, and then come back later. It’s only getting weirder from page 250. I stopped reading V. and then finished it later. You might like Vineland if you liked IV.

[u/IgnatiusBaeReilly → u/Gustastuff]

I’ve picked it back up with the recommendation that I should just enjoy it for what it is on my first go through and since I took that advice I’m back in and really just having fun with each page.

[u/Gustastuff → u/IgnatiusBaeReilly]

Awesome

[u/joedenowhere]

His bigger books are pretty dense and confusing--Gravity's Rainbow, Mason & Dixon, Against the Day.... The shorter ones are easier. Have you read Lot 49? That's a fun novel.

[u/IgnatiusBaeReilly → u/joedenowhere]

I have not but I’m sure I will. I usually make my way through a writers entire bibliography once I find out I dig them. Did this with Cormac about 15 years ago. Just decided to go ahead and tackle Pynchon’s magnum opus second in line as a challenge to myself after realizing I liked what he was putting out into the universe.

[u/RufflesTGP]

You're probably though the most confusing part with all the shifting perspectives. It's still pretty experimental, but a more obvious 'plot' takes the fore.

It's definitely never easy, but it does get easier, if that makes sense

[u/IgnatiusBaeReilly → u/RufflesTGP]

Maybe I’ll push through. I hate giving up on a book.

[u/Every-Panic7004]

So excited for you and your Pynchon journey! I have read everything he’s published, and Gravity’s Rainbow is definitely my favorite, but it did take me two readings to full appreciate it and even at that I could read it several more times and still discover new things! I don’t know that any order of reading his books is better than another; go with your gut. I guess if I could dare to offer any advice for reading Pynchon, it would be this: slow down, sink in, read outloud passages that you struggle with, and (most importantly) let Pynchon take you by the hand and trust where he leads you. Enjoy!!!! And let us know how it goes!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Pynchon is more Jesuit then ppl realize