Poll

Another impossible decision. I have not read Mason & Dixon but Possession is very high on my favourites list, so I have to go with the one I know best.

Two great books (in several senses) which show the very best of what 90s postmodern fiction could do: so much intelligence, so much heart and good humoured playfulness. Both reading experiences to treasure.
Possession is the easier read if you want a book to pass the time, but for scope and verbal and intellectual fireworks, Mason & Dixon gets it.

Possession is top-drawer stuff, delightful and vastly entertaining. But, come now, this is Pynchon, at his very best.

I just haven't read it yet, which does mean I can't vote for it. But since I love Possession I feel good about voting for the Byatt.

This is a tough one, but I think I lean LeeMonksward on the question....

OK, a question for Pynchon experts, how would you rank Mason & Dixon relative to Gravitys Rainbow? That is still the only Pynchon I have read and although I found it impressive, I didn't enjoy it as much as Possession...

It's more readable, less prone to mad flourishes, more lyrical. It's flat-out better. Gravity's Rainbow - when I read that, I put it down several times: too much (although I was always going back; it's incredible). Even Philip Hensher loved Mason and Dixon.

This is the first time I've felt sad about one of these - that Mason and Dixon is going, even though it's being knocked out by another book I also gave 5 stars. But Possession is clearly in the lead, not like another vote or two would sway it now.

Antonomasia wrote: "This is the first time I've felt sad about one of these - that Mason and Dixon is going, even though it's being knocked out by another book I also gave 5 stars. But Possession is clearly in the lea..."

Yes, quite agree. Possession is a very fine book but Mason and Dixon is 'top five' material. I only hope one or two go on to give it a spin....

When people start caring about it this much (like I do here, or the current 1984 thread, or the Ferrante one) it shows just how much like sports all this can be.

Yes and Pynchon is the Man Utd of literature so this is doubly sad.

Lee wrote: "I only hope one or two go on to give it a spin..."
For plenty of people, it does need the right time, where you can give it full attention. (I often spent full days on it, and looked up lots of references on a Pynchon wiki and other sources.) Not a commuter read for most. But it's really rewarding. I don't read a lot of very long and complex books, and there are plenty that simply don't look like fun (can't say I fancy spending 800 pages with the bitter protagonist of Darconville’s Cat as several of my GR friends have enjoyed doing) but Mason & Dixon has so much heart and good humour about it, and was absolutely worth it. It may be easiest read following on from an eighteenth or nineteenth century novel as you would already be adapted to the sentence forms.

Antonomasia wrote: "Lee wrote: "I only hope one or two go on to give it a spin..."
For plenty of people, it does need the right time, where you can give it full attention. (I often spent full days on it, and looked up..."

I do think that point needs emphasising - this book really is a blast. I wonder at how many assume it's going to be turgid...far from it.

Lee wrote: "Yes and Pynchon is the Man Utd of literature so this is doubly sad."

So it was good five years ago, but is now completely overrated with an obnoxious manager?

You have though persuaded me to read M&D - and Bae Suah is another one I've added today to my list of international authors I love who cite Pynchon as a key influence (2nd though to Sebald of course in her case and Krasznahorkai's).

Although I have to say given my tastes in literature, I fear it will be "a blast" and hope it is turgid!

Surprised though how one sided this one has been - Possession must have some very strong support. I read it too long ago to recall any specifics other than being very impressed.

Well...I wouldn't say 'over-rated', more 'somewhat dormant but slowly waking'. Plus there is that unrivalled following and those bursting trophy cabinets...consider Mason and Dixon the treble years...I won't argue on the Jose issue...

I'll just add my voice to those singing the praises of Mason and Dixon. I think it's probably Pynchon's best book (though Against the Day is up there too), and very much worth reading.

Paul, if I say "smart and playful" instead of "a blast", does that sound any better?

I still like the sound of turgid more. All has worrying overtones of a recent Booker winner.