I lived in nyc working in silicon alley during that time and bleeding edge *is* that time. It’s great. The audiobook (at least the original narration) is unlistenable unfortunately. The book is great imo. 49 -> bleeding edge has congruities too in terms that they are both mysteries.
I really like Bleeding Edge so I'm biased, but I think it would be a good follow up. Lot 49 sometimes feels as if it's imagining the internet just before it existed. Bleeding Edge makes me think Pynchon noticed that.
Bleeding Edge is an easy place to start because the terrain is familiar but it’s definitely at the bottom of what I’ve read from him and wonder if that would turn you off from his work
V/49 probably good places to start but I haven’t done those yet
1970’s Mickey Wolfmann character based on real life “Monster” subprime mortgage billionaire who “cashed out” after becoming Bush’s 2006 Amb to Netherlands? Yup.
i think you should start with vineland! lot 49 is a challenging and dense novel, and vineland is a more accessible and coherent exploration of pynchon's themes.
We read Pynchon’s Vineland in my American Postmodernism course, but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. I might now. There must be some reason the prof had it on the syllabus.
Both V. and Inherent Vice are good entry points, after The Crying of Lot 49. Mason & Dixon is great if you're undaunted by length. Gravity's Rainbow is fantastic but it can be hard going — you should read it once you feel ready, but commit to a schedule and have a reader's guide ready.
I would definitely recommend reading V. before Gravity's Rainbow, Mason & Dixon, or Against the Day. I think it's the best entry point into those longer novels... If any of his other shorter novels particularly call out to you at the moment then go for it.
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V/49 probably good places to start but I haven’t done those yet
1970’s Mickey Wolfmann character based on real life “Monster” subprime mortgage billionaire who “cashed out” after becoming Bush’s 2006 Amb to Netherlands? Yup.
1. Crying of Lot 49
2. V
3. Vineland
4. Inherent Vice
5. Mason and Dixon
Then Gravity's Rainbow if you want to read more.
But bring patience, snacks and maybe a pen and paper to take notes