Comment

Jul 14, 2014foggyi rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I wanted to read this book for its great revelations and understandings of 9/11 but paid too high a price. Right away it comes off as too esoteric. The only people are Jewish New Yorkers, everyone else is an ethnic or regional caricature. With no constructed plot there is no hero's journey. There is also no antagonist but rather the pop culture of the late nineties still oozing into the new century. Pynchon's only goal here may be to lament the loss of reality. New York as it was for his generation. Real capital and real labor that leads to real production and real fulfillment. And a time when the hyped-up ever-present threat of a bogeyman did not consume our daily lives. These are worthwhile pursuits but poorly achieved. Be careful when embarking upon this book. Abandon when you find yourself counting the pages.