/lit/ - Literature

>>6699431
you shouldn't write in library books

Basically just prepare for sudden sharp turns in content.

What is arguably the "frame narrative" flows like a sort of quasi-surrealist parody of On The Road. This part of the book is incredibly fun on a very base level. Wacky bohemians and sailors getting into alcohol fueled mischief and pretentious debates.

From there, the book takes dives into much more difficult segments that work out the book's major themes and underlying plot. These segments are usually anchored in history and come at you without much exposition at all. Just push through it when things get difficult and it'll work itself out. There's always the easier parts right around the corner to motivate you to finish the tricky parts - but don't get me wrong, even at its hardest its still fun as hell to read, just in a different way.

damn, the library in my town only has COL49 (which i already read), M&D, and Against The Day (which are both hugely intimidating)

Should i just read Gravity's Rainbow as an ebook? i've already got it downloaded...

>>6699605
How are those intimidating and GR isn't? M&D is a good deal easier than GR in terms of both plot and prose

>>6699614
i guess it's just the "olde englifh." also the fact that GR happens in a century i know a bit more about. are they about the same length?

>>6699611
thank you stranger

any significance to the DFW quote? or is it something i will i learn eventually

>>6699621
No, it's just a bad meme. Doesn't mean anything.

The upside-down badger though.....

>>6699621
Just order a copy of V. Harper Perennial is the best.

http://www.bookdepository.com/V-Thomas-Pynchon/9780060930219

It's a great book and you should read it as your first Pynchon as it introduces some characters and events that will also feature in his later novels.

>>6699629
do you have this version? the pic that got posted has me worried about disfigurement

>>6699629
>tfw got the Vintage edition

>>6699646
I have both the Vintage "Waldo" edition and the Harper Perennial. I purchased the Harper because I could not stand the Vintage edition.

The Harper is great and the one I would recommend.

>>6699658

>>6699673
Harper Perennial

>>6699678
Vintage

(TRIGGER WARNING)

>>6699681
>being this autistic

>>6699678
I never knew how much I hated my Vintage copy until I saw the alternative. Might order myself a Harper edition.

Hate having so many duplicate books though. Especially because I'm sentimental as fuck and its hard for me to throw out or give away copies.

>>6699673
The fact that the Wally pattern doesn't tile seamlessly bothers me. They thought I wouldn't notice, oh how wrong they were.

>>6699682
It makes a huge difference when reading 500 pages.

>>6699678
>>6699681
not gonna lie i like the vintage font more, but i can see how the smudginess would fuck someone up

>>6699681
>subtle GR in background

>>6699431
>What should I know beforehand?
nothing
>Is it a fun read?
in parts, yes. Not the most fun pynchon though.
>Should I read with a pencil?
Not unless by pencil you meant your so shaped penis

>>6699621
M&D looks bigger than it is. They are about the same but they are both really great

>>6699681
>>6699673

I only have the vintage editions of Pynchon since that's what we're stuck with here in the UK unfortunately, luckily I managed to buy a first edition Inherent Vice, might do the same for Bleeding Edge.

>>6699811
i bought this in scotland last year

>>6699811
Fucking Hell man you can get all editions other than vintage on bookdepository. It's not hard doing a little google search.

>>6699431
It's not very good. Not worth a read.

>>6700190
Why do you think so?

>>6699626
We Await Silent Tristero's Empire

>>6700069
Yeah I have first edition TCoL49 and the 80's book-club edition of GR

>>6699431
i sure love quirky recluse man!