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The Crying of Lot 49

Questions About The Crying of Lot 49

by Thomas Pynchon

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Answered Questions (4)

What other authors are like this? I love the writing style. I've read: David Foster Wallace; Raymond Carver, loved both. I own Maxon & Dixon but the language and style (and size) got the best of me...wonder if it's worth trying again...
Cheyanne I loved "The Crying of Lot 49," but none of Pynchon's other novels appealed to me as much. You might like "The Sympathizer," by Viet Nguyen. …moreI loved "The Crying of Lot 49," but none of Pynchon's other novels appealed to me as much. You might like "The Sympathizer," by Viet Nguyen. (less)
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Is this book written in an alternative style of English? I have no idea what's happening.
Moses Shuldiner This book is a brilliant parody of conspiracy theories. It does this by having the protagonist so quickly enmeshed in a conspiracy theory that she exp…moreThis book is a brilliant parody of conspiracy theories. It does this by having the protagonist so quickly enmeshed in a conspiracy theory that she explains history and almost every event in her daily life as part of this conspiracy . At the same time she wonders if she has a mental health issue or is in the throes of addiction. The meaning of the title is only revealed and illuminated as the last phrase in the novel.
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Here it says this books was first published in 1966. Wikipedia lists this book as being written in 1965. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crying_of_Lot_49 Either this article should be corrected or that one. There are lots of lists on Question: what is the authoritative source for a book's publication date? Library of congress?
Art An excerpt was published in Esquire Magazine in December of 1965 under the title "The World (This One), the Flesh (Mrs. Oedipa Maas), and the Testamen…moreAn excerpt was published in Esquire Magazine in December of 1965 under the title "The World (This One), the Flesh (Mrs. Oedipa Maas), and the Testament of Pierce Inverarity", and the full novel was published shortly later, in 1966.(less)
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If I've read this book and understood it fairly well, am I "ready" for Gravity's Rainbow, or should I read V first? I know everyone's different, but GR has been on my want-to-read list for years now.
Ben Whitney Oh boy, what a question. My answer is of course my opinion and you may find me not helpful. I suggest reading V first. Even though the novel was his f…moreOh boy, what a question. My answer is of course my opinion and you may find me not helpful. I suggest reading V first. Even though the novel was his first, what a way to enter the literary novel world, it is one of the more 'complex', that is, on a Pynchon scale of complexity, which is above other scales.

V could prime you for Gravity's Rainbow. Nonetheless, get ready for GR. It's tough and long, which are deemed as negative qualities among most readers, I mean take a look at the Goodreads average rating for both books, it may sicken you, as well as highly rewarding and fun. I tend to read quickly and skip over words in sentences but it's not allowed in either Pynchon book. Read slowly and enjoy.(less)
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