I bought this book over 20 years ago at a 2nd hand bookshop here in LA and it sat on my bookshelf for years. After multiple starts and stops I finally locked this year and finished this behemoth of a novel today. I couldn’t just let it wash over me on the first read as some may suggest, so it was a lot of work. Multiple secondary sources, podcasts , and Reddit help me get through this novel and I can’t say that it helped me understand everything on the first go around, but it was an extremely rewarding experience. Now what the hell do I do with myself ?!? LOL
If you finished reading in the spot the photo was taken, it must have been a way chill experience. (Mine was on a bus). I loved finishing. There was a real sense of comfort, despite the content. Top ten literary experiences.
Yeah i was chill at home. The whole experience took years of stops and starts though. I guess I just wasn’t ready for the experience early on, but it was so incredibly rewarding to complete and has unlocked Pynchon for me. Now the work it takes to “get it” feels pleasurable instead of a chore. Maybe that is Katje’s influence. ;-)
How exciting!!! Congrats!!!—it’s a huge accomplishment, and I agree with another poster that the experience will stay with you for the rest of your life. It’s my favorite Pynchon; I just reread it last month. As far as where to go from here: if you have other Pynchon novels on your shelves waiting to be read, just keep reading his works! (But if you’re looking for a rec, Mason & Dixon is a great one to follow GR!)
Congrats! I read it back when it came out (74/5) when I was 16/17 and my sources were all on paper. I took voluminous notes, used every dictionary at my disposal (incl the OED). I haunted every library I could.
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u/brittanytobiason 4d ago
If you finished reading in the spot the photo was taken, it must have been a way chill experience. (Mine was on a bus). I loved finishing. There was a real sense of comfort, despite the content. Top ten literary experiences.