Dave’s Comments (group member since Nov 11, 2015)

Dave’s comments from the "Against the Day", Thomas Pynchon - 2015 / 2016 group.

ETA is the Portuguese abbreviation of ATD? Too bad not yet in Kindle. The X-Ray feature In Kindle helps sort out names and "obscure references", at least some of them. Actually, I've been surprised so far that I recognize so many of those obscurities in both books. I guess my dustbin of a mind has picked up at lot of odds and ends in six decades of living and reading.

Can't ever remember reading two books by the same author simultaneously. Also reading Our Mutual Friend which makes for an interesting contrast. Since I'm retired and a homebody, I can spend hours a day reading when I get on a binge.

You read fast Renato, I'd better start today to have any hope of staying with you. As before I am listening to the audiobook while reading. Initially not too taken with the narrator (Dick Hill) voice. But I'm sure I will settle i to it.

I should also thank you Renato for a great gift. Inviting me to this group and reading the "what to read first" discussions lead me to Gravity's Rainbow. After a false start and some weeping and gnashing of teeth, the data gods at Amazon took pity on me and washed up Weisenburger's "A Gravity's Rainbow Companion" at my feet. Reading the introduction was enough guidance to motivate me to dive back in. Now I am enthralled. The narration there is superb.

Since receiving Renato's invite to the group I have done some background reading on Pynchon and his writing. I found ThomasPynchon.com helpful, particularly the newbie page here: http://thomaspynchon.com/pynchon-newb... at the bottom of the page are links to the wiki's of each novel.

I also found another site: http://www.pynchon.pomona.edu that, in fine Pynchonesque spirit purports to be San Narcisco Community college. Nice satire but interesting discussion of books etc and links to other resources.

I suspect that kind of price means it is a textbook. It may be good, but textbook prices (new or recent) are always a rip off. The wiki Renato mentioned suits my needs.

Have you figured out Renato why teenage Marcel wanted Mama to bring him this book and how doting she was to bring it too him?

Thanks for the invite Renato. I've never read Pychon but this looks like a good place to start.