Thomas Pynchon to Publish New Book

[Gregory Samsa]

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/thomas-pynchon-to-publish-new-book/?partner=rss&emc=rss


Thomas Pynchon to Publish New Book

He is suspicious of e-books, does not like to have his picture taken, and is often rumored to be on the short-list of American novelists who might win the Nobel prize for literature.

The secretive novelist Thomas Pynchon is back. He will publish a new book, titled “The Bleeding Edge,” his long-time publisher, Penguin Press, said on Friday. No publication date has been set.

Mr. Pynchon has won loyal fans for his intricate narratives that use the 1960s and ’70s as touchstones and frequently combine popular cultural references with obscure history. He is the author of “V.,” “The Crying of Lot 49,” “Mason & Dixon” and the critically acclaimed “Gravity’s Rainbow,” which won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1974. However, his last title, “Inherent Vice” in 2009, got mixed reviews.

[dfw]

better be good

[islandclimber]

Inherent Vice was terrible, so I hope this work does not disappoint. I did adore Against the Day however, so maybe his last work was only an aberration...

[grechzoo]

Inherent Vice was him writing a story he had always wanted to tell, something that intrigued him and sent him on an enjoyable tangent, that most of his die hard fans didn't appreciate unfortunately.

I doubt he would do that two books in a row. And considering how good Against the Day is (Mason and Dixon and Gravity's Rainbow level in my opinion) it would be foolish to think he has ran his gauntlet and is now running out of ideas.

If I was a betting man I would say it is MUCH more likely this one is a hit, as I dont think he is capable of two misses in a row.

[Desolation]

Whoever he is, I'm glad to know that the greatest living American writer (in my opinion, of course), is still out there, and hopefully as insane as ever.

How convenient too, as I decided a few weeks ago that this would be the year that I study his works more carefully, as I did Joyce last year.

[rufustfirefly]

The classic forum question.... which TP novel do you start with ? I am ready to take the plunge.

[Desolation]

V. - It's not too dreadfully long (though it's still over 500 pages), and gives you a good idea of what to expect from his other works.

Th Crying of Lot 49 is a lot shorter, but there's a trade-off in that it's a lot more difficult. He packs a hell of a lot into that little book. It would still work as a decent introduction, though.

[rufustfirefly]

V. - It's not too dreadfully long (though it's still over 500 pages), and gives you a good idea of what to expect from his other works.

Th Crying of Lot 49 is a lot shorter, but there's a trade-off in that it's a lot more difficult. He packs a hell of a lot into that little book. It would still work as a decent introduction, though.

To my great surprise, I am enjoying V. Good advice. I may skip around with Pynchon and read a more recent novel after this one.

[islandclimber]

My first Pynchon was Gravity's Rainbow and I just adored it. It devours one whole.

I think people place too much emphasis on accessibility when one is seeking an introduction to a writer's work. I've always felt the desire to throw myself headlong into wildest piece.

I'd recommend Mason & Dixon or Against the Day for your next, if you are looking for something a little more recent.

[grechzoo]

To my great surprise, I am enjoying V. Good advice. I may skip around with Pynchon and read a more recent novel after this one.

Yep, same here, I did read CoL49 first, and it served the purpose of helping me fall in love with his prose even if the overall narrative itself left me a bit bemused. I Moved STRAIGHT on to V. and so far am blown away by it. truly mesmerizing.

If i was to recommend someone where to start it would definitely be V.

M&D AtD and GR are widely considered his masterworks. And so I am saving them to last.

[Desolation]

Official release date for The Bleeding Edge has been announced today as September 17th...:D

Apparently it will take place in Silicon Alley in the days between the dot-com burst and 9/11, and have something to do with the internet.

[My2cents]

better be good

for better or worse fools rule the world