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Title: Pynchonian Predecessor
Review: "The Crying of Lot 49" is a perfect little book, with obvious influences from Borges. It was obviously heavily influenced by this book as well. The similarities of the labyrinthian search for answers that only uncovers more and more puzzling questions, leaving the searcher questioning whether or not any of his original premises were even valid, is done to perfection by Mathews. Both he and Pynchon's version combine with perfection inventive word play and elaborate plots. Nothing against Pynchon, because he has delivered on everything he produced (yes, even "Vineland" and "Against the Day"), but Mathews wins this contest of similarities. If only Mathews could have delivered as much with the rest of his oeuvre. Highly recommended.
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