Websites, Concordances, and other Resources

[Mosca]

Over time, I've stumbled across websites, related books, and other reference materials that can sometimes be useful in sifting thru the arcana that Pynchon has loaded into this book.

So I'll start with a few I know off the top of my head:

Gravity's Rainbow Web Guide & Concordance @ ThomasPynchon.com

Gravity's Rainbow Wiki

There are others.

[Brad]

Sweet. That's going to be an awesome resource, Mosca.

[Megha]

Have you guys read some of it before?
This is my first time reading this. I am wondering if I am more likely to finish it if I just try to get through without worrying too much about allusions etc. or should I keep looking up the references as I go along.
Any suggestions?

[Brad]

I have finished it once, but it took three starts to get there. So this is my fourth go.

I have tried to put aside researching the allusions because I thought it would be easier, but I was never able to do it. Of course, I still haven't gotten all of the allusions.

[Mosca]

I don't think anyone ever gets all the allusions, references, metaphors etc.

I never get them all when I read or listen to Shakespeare. But I'm drawn along by the rhythm, the poetry, the experience.

So I think it's best to read along, follow as much as you can of the plot, and enjoy the ride. There's plenty there. What you can pick up is extraordinary.

I've read almost a third of it before; and that was about three reads.

This time, I'm trying to finish it. We'll see.

[Megha]

Getting all the allusions seems out of the question anyway. I tried to follow annotations on PynchonWiki for the first few pages that I read, but it kind of breaks the flow. And if I don't look up the references I keep thinking if I am missing something.
Perhaps I will leave looking up the references for the second reading (lets say, that will happen :) )

[Megha]

Shannon wrote: "That's probably you're best bet, Megha. I've read it twice (after abandoning it a few times initially)and I thought the best way was to read it straight through..."

So it seems. Also it is more fun to read without too many interruptions to look up the references.

[Hunter]

I'm reading it alongside Weisenburger's companion, which I'm finding quite helpful. I usually read a few pages of annotations, then a section of the novel uninterrupted.

[Rose]

So it seems. Also it is more fun to read without too many interruptions to look up the references.

I will try that as soon as I get the book from amazon. This will be my first time and first Pynchon.

[Matthieu]

http://www.themodernword.com/pynchon/...

My ex-girlfriend sent this link to me last summer. Long live Zak Smith!

[Megha]

Chapter by chapter summary:

http://web.archive.org/web/2002111423...

this could be quite helpful.

[Mosca]

Megha,

Thanks for the link to the chapter summary.

Right now I'm about 75% thru "In the Zone" Section 3. This Section has gotten very interesting, but very, very complex.

This chapter summary has really helped me to review what I've read so far of this Section 3. Now my brain won't have to dive into overwhelm.

This is a very useful link. Thanks

[Daniel]

Megha wrote: "Chapter by chapter summary:

http://web.archive.org/web/2002111423...

this could be quite helpful."

This has been the single biggest companion for me during my first read of the book, as try as a i might there are things i read without taking in, and this excellent summary has always kept me on track if i needed reassurance.