Absolutely wonderful synopsis. I just recently read GR for my 4th time last year and it remains one of my most treasured books. Beyond my own love of it I agree with your sentiment that this has the potential of being a critically important book not just for literature, but humanity.
Anyways started to write this to say I’ve only dabbled here and there since I just finished rereading it when you started this, but just reading this concluding entry, some of your insight into the allegorical nature of certain characters and plot points I hadn’t even considered and totally blew me away. Very excited for whenever I feel ready for a full fifth dive in while reading this sub along with the book.
I’ve always considered GR to be Pynchon’s most pessimistic novel (with Mason & Dixon in my opinion being kindve the more positive antidote to its doom & gloom) but your point on the Counterforce not having their plot line resolved and overall your hopeful message gives me a new perspective.
I’m a retired bike messenger on disability at age 35. My dad was a bus driver as well as a life long autodidact, something he passed on to me. While I think everyone can read this book and really have it click if they put in a little work it’s a crime that we live in a society where instead they have to willingly destroy their bodies day in day out and the entrenched managers and professionals who are perhaps materially better off but miserable in their own way as their salary positions don’t let them enjoy or participate in life in any meaningful way.
Of course both groups as well the even more immiserated over exploited peoples of the third word are all being bled to death by a few informal intelligence networks made of of public officials and elite private citizens
Gravity's Rainbow is for sure a pessimistic novel. But it's like Gramsci's quote: pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will. It's pessimistic about our scenario and is revealing the worst aspects of society but still has that optimism that there is a chance for change.
Kill all the vampires is right. Them and the werewolves. Currently reading Luxemburg's Reform or Revolution and all that's been on my mind is how clear it is that no meaningful or lasting change will ever come via the reformation of the system we live under. Further steps must be taken.
Thanks for sharing your background btw. I'm glad to have real working-class people following along with this. Gravity's Rainbow is often read only by the degreed scholars and that is why I think it (and Pynchon in general) is so often interpreted incorrectly. This book needs to be placed in the hands of every working-class person. . .
I submitted a copy to a publisher and am waiting for a bit to see if I get a response. If not, I’ll probably start the self publication process this summer.
I had read GR with a companion book before, but this gave me an entirely new and much better understanding of the novel, Pynchon, and post-modern writing/reading in general I think. This needs to be a book at some point.
Will move over to Mason & Dixon with you, after a suitable rest. Thanks
Thank you so much! I'm glad I was able to help and to have had you along. Hope you enjoy M&D when you begin that one!
I am currently attempting to get this published as a physical book, but it's tough to find a publisher who is willing to accept a 170k work manuscript by a new author... at least that's my guess to as why it's been rejected. Though my political leanings aren't subtle either so it could also be that.
If it happens though, I will be letting everyone know! Currently awaiting to hear back from two new ones that I submitted it to.
I have been aware of Pynchon since high school about 10 years ago and had a very close literature teacher recommend him to me based on my interest at the time in McCarthy and Heller. She told me to wait to read it until later into adulthood, which I thought was preposterous at the time, and in my now fully formed adult brain I do not think I could've digested half of this novel's content without your companion & perspective. This is the first of his that I've read, a hell of a first choice in hindsight, and I'm immediately deep in the rabbit hole lining up which of his novels will come next. Probably my favorite thing I've ever read. I used this companion every chapter for the first 75% and abandoned it at the end to try and make my own perspectives on the ending, and I told myself I'd come back and finish your writing on it when I stopped thinking about the novel regularly. Well - 4 months down the road and I still think it crosses my mind about every 12 hours somehow so figured it was time to see what you had to say on the ending / wrap up. You have an unbelievably brilliant critical mind and I can't wait to see your thoughts and writing on his other novels when I get to them. Thanks for the words and cheers from Alabama
Ben, thank you immensely! Comments like this feel better than just about anything. This project was incredibly fun and rewarding, but took so much time that there were moments I doubted it was worth continuing. Responses like yours tell me that it was more than worth it and I’m so so glad I have been able to help people fully appreciate this wonderful book.
I also discovered who Pynchon was in high school because I was weird and googled what the hardest books of all time were. But I never gave him a true shot until an English elective that I took my senior year in college had me read Lot 49. Even then I didn’t get him totally. It wasn’t until I read GR a year later that I fell in love. And I can’t even say I really “got” the book until my 3rd read of it.
And finally, I’m happy you decided to go on your own for the last bit. I tried to do the substack in a way that would clue people in on just “how” to interpret Pynchon so that my posts would eventually not be necessary.
Hope to hear from you again some time down the Pynchon road! Let me know what you decide as your next of his books!
I've tried (and failed) to finish this book for six times over five years - mostly because I felt completely lost in some of Pynchons more absurd episodes. Your amazing work here has finally helped me push past the finish line!
I'm not a native english speaker and even with the weisenburger companion, I felt I was missing out on the larger themes and allegories. Your analysis has helped me tremendously in grasping what Pynchon worked to reveal here, although I already know this will be a book I'll want to read time and time again throughout my life - it has quickly become of my favorite books, far surpassing the only other Pynchon novel I've read so far, which was V. (which in all fairness I also adore).
I'm a working class twentysomething without any real education about literature (further than half-listening to my high-school teachers and what I've absorbed from reading novels) and this book has made me felt understood in ways that I hadn't felt previously - especially when it came to the structures of post-WW2 markets.
I live in germany, so seeing Pynchons perspectives on german folk stories and germany itself was incredibly interesting to me. I might've missed you mentioning this, in that case, forgive me, but I want to comment on a peculiar thing I've noticed:
Gölls Nickname of der "Springer", and his role/ability to make the public feel paranoia kept reminding me of Axel Springer, a media giant of post-war germany, responsible for a great many public scandals and a shining example of how media influences public perception and everyday life. It's a whole can of worms to talk about him and his Springer Verlag - in the terms of this book, he'd definitely be an agent of Them, maybe even a full "member".
I'd like to thank you for all the work you've done here, not just in the sense of helping me finish this book, but in the direct, Now-Everybody-sense:
I am certain i'm not the only one who's life you've directly impacted and changed for the better by doing what you've done here.
I'll miss coming here after every chapter I've read and hope my ramblings weren't too long <3
Oh man, comments like this are what make the time commitment to these posts worth it. I genuinely appreciate it so much. I’m so happy I could help and that these posts led so many people to read and finish the book.
And that’s a great catch on the Der Springer name. It’s something I wasn’t aware of and I bet Pynchon had it in mind. There are so many little things like that that I could never write a truly all encompassing analysis, but it makes the book all the better since every person can glean something different.
And hey, I am also a working class twenty something (thirty later this year though…) without any formal training in lit! Though I suspect the lack of formal training leads people like us to enjoy these more political and less traditionally “literary” readings of books.
THANK YOU! Just finished my first read with a few friends and can honestly say we have all used and thoroughly appreciated this guide as a part of our discussions. Solidarity and can't wait to dive into M&D .
Thank you! That's so cool that this was used as a part of a reading group. I always wonder how people use this analysis and this is one of my favorite anecdotes. Looking forward to having you along for M&D.
Absolutely wonderful synopsis. I just recently read GR for my 4th time last year and it remains one of my most treasured books. Beyond my own love of it I agree with your sentiment that this has the potential of being a critically important book not just for literature, but humanity.
Anyways started to write this to say I’ve only dabbled here and there since I just finished rereading it when you started this, but just reading this concluding entry, some of your insight into the allegorical nature of certain characters and plot points I hadn’t even considered and totally blew me away. Very excited for whenever I feel ready for a full fifth dive in while reading this sub along with the book.
I’ve always considered GR to be Pynchon’s most pessimistic novel (with Mason & Dixon in my opinion being kindve the more positive antidote to its doom & gloom) but your point on the Counterforce not having their plot line resolved and overall your hopeful message gives me a new perspective.
I’m a retired bike messenger on disability at age 35. My dad was a bus driver as well as a life long autodidact, something he passed on to me. While I think everyone can read this book and really have it click if they put in a little work it’s a crime that we live in a society where instead they have to willingly destroy their bodies day in day out and the entrenched managers and professionals who are perhaps materially better off but miserable in their own way as their salary positions don’t let them enjoy or participate in life in any meaningful way.
Of course both groups as well the even more immiserated over exploited peoples of the third word are all being bled to death by a few informal intelligence networks made of of public officials and elite private citizens
Kill all the vampires
Thank you!
Gravity's Rainbow is for sure a pessimistic novel. But it's like Gramsci's quote: pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will. It's pessimistic about our scenario and is revealing the worst aspects of society but still has that optimism that there is a chance for change.
Kill all the vampires is right. Them and the werewolves. Currently reading Luxemburg's Reform or Revolution and all that's been on my mind is how clear it is that no meaningful or lasting change will ever come via the reformation of the system we live under. Further steps must be taken.
Thanks for sharing your background btw. I'm glad to have real working-class people following along with this. Gravity's Rainbow is often read only by the degreed scholars and that is why I think it (and Pynchon in general) is so often interpreted incorrectly. This book needs to be placed in the hands of every working-class person. . .
Monumental accomplishment. Well done.
Thank you so much!
When is the book coming out?
I submitted a copy to a publisher and am waiting for a bit to see if I get a response. If not, I’ll probably start the self publication process this summer.
I had read GR with a companion book before, but this gave me an entirely new and much better understanding of the novel, Pynchon, and post-modern writing/reading in general I think. This needs to be a book at some point.
Will move over to Mason & Dixon with you, after a suitable rest. Thanks
Thank you so much! I'm glad I was able to help and to have had you along. Hope you enjoy M&D when you begin that one!
I am currently attempting to get this published as a physical book, but it's tough to find a publisher who is willing to accept a 170k work manuscript by a new author... at least that's my guess to as why it's been rejected. Though my political leanings aren't subtle either so it could also be that.
If it happens though, I will be letting everyone know! Currently awaiting to hear back from two new ones that I submitted it to.
Thank you Andrew! You absolutely rule!
I have been aware of Pynchon since high school about 10 years ago and had a very close literature teacher recommend him to me based on my interest at the time in McCarthy and Heller. She told me to wait to read it until later into adulthood, which I thought was preposterous at the time, and in my now fully formed adult brain I do not think I could've digested half of this novel's content without your companion & perspective. This is the first of his that I've read, a hell of a first choice in hindsight, and I'm immediately deep in the rabbit hole lining up which of his novels will come next. Probably my favorite thing I've ever read. I used this companion every chapter for the first 75% and abandoned it at the end to try and make my own perspectives on the ending, and I told myself I'd come back and finish your writing on it when I stopped thinking about the novel regularly. Well - 4 months down the road and I still think it crosses my mind about every 12 hours somehow so figured it was time to see what you had to say on the ending / wrap up. You have an unbelievably brilliant critical mind and I can't wait to see your thoughts and writing on his other novels when I get to them. Thanks for the words and cheers from Alabama
Ben, thank you immensely! Comments like this feel better than just about anything. This project was incredibly fun and rewarding, but took so much time that there were moments I doubted it was worth continuing. Responses like yours tell me that it was more than worth it and I’m so so glad I have been able to help people fully appreciate this wonderful book.
I also discovered who Pynchon was in high school because I was weird and googled what the hardest books of all time were. But I never gave him a true shot until an English elective that I took my senior year in college had me read Lot 49. Even then I didn’t get him totally. It wasn’t until I read GR a year later that I fell in love. And I can’t even say I really “got” the book until my 3rd read of it.
And finally, I’m happy you decided to go on your own for the last bit. I tried to do the substack in a way that would clue people in on just “how” to interpret Pynchon so that my posts would eventually not be necessary.
Hope to hear from you again some time down the Pynchon road! Let me know what you decide as your next of his books!
Cheers from Limbo between Arizona and Oregon.
I've tried (and failed) to finish this book for six times over five years - mostly because I felt completely lost in some of Pynchons more absurd episodes. Your amazing work here has finally helped me push past the finish line!
I'm not a native english speaker and even with the weisenburger companion, I felt I was missing out on the larger themes and allegories. Your analysis has helped me tremendously in grasping what Pynchon worked to reveal here, although I already know this will be a book I'll want to read time and time again throughout my life - it has quickly become of my favorite books, far surpassing the only other Pynchon novel I've read so far, which was V. (which in all fairness I also adore).
I'm a working class twentysomething without any real education about literature (further than half-listening to my high-school teachers and what I've absorbed from reading novels) and this book has made me felt understood in ways that I hadn't felt previously - especially when it came to the structures of post-WW2 markets.
I live in germany, so seeing Pynchons perspectives on german folk stories and germany itself was incredibly interesting to me. I might've missed you mentioning this, in that case, forgive me, but I want to comment on a peculiar thing I've noticed:
Gölls Nickname of der "Springer", and his role/ability to make the public feel paranoia kept reminding me of Axel Springer, a media giant of post-war germany, responsible for a great many public scandals and a shining example of how media influences public perception and everyday life. It's a whole can of worms to talk about him and his Springer Verlag - in the terms of this book, he'd definitely be an agent of Them, maybe even a full "member".
I'd like to thank you for all the work you've done here, not just in the sense of helping me finish this book, but in the direct, Now-Everybody-sense:
I am certain i'm not the only one who's life you've directly impacted and changed for the better by doing what you've done here.
I'll miss coming here after every chapter I've read and hope my ramblings weren't too long <3
Oh man, comments like this are what make the time commitment to these posts worth it. I genuinely appreciate it so much. I’m so happy I could help and that these posts led so many people to read and finish the book.
And that’s a great catch on the Der Springer name. It’s something I wasn’t aware of and I bet Pynchon had it in mind. There are so many little things like that that I could never write a truly all encompassing analysis, but it makes the book all the better since every person can glean something different.
And hey, I am also a working class twenty something (thirty later this year though…) without any formal training in lit! Though I suspect the lack of formal training leads people like us to enjoy these more political and less traditionally “literary” readings of books.
Thanks again and I’m happy to have had you along!
THANK YOU! Just finished my first read with a few friends and can honestly say we have all used and thoroughly appreciated this guide as a part of our discussions. Solidarity and can't wait to dive into M&D .
thank you thank you thank you
Thank you! That's so cool that this was used as a part of a reading group. I always wonder how people use this analysis and this is one of my favorite anecdotes. Looking forward to having you along for M&D.
I know you already have plans, but I would be very interested in any Vineland analysis. Just read it over this last week, it seems under appreciated.
I love Vineland. Probably his most underappreciated work (alongside Bleeding Edge imo). It's really phenomenal and yet so many say its his worst.
Sadly it won't be for a number of years, but I promise I will get around to Vineland eventually!