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Title: Noteworthy, yes... but a pleasure to read, not so much...
Review: To say this book is odd would be an understatement. It almost feels like it induces paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions all at once. I can't say I really enjoyed reading it -- with the exception of the first chapter, which was quite fun -- but I did appreciate it. I found Pynchon's sense of humor very entertaining -- my particular favorite character name being Genghis Cohen -- but the plot became so convoluted that I just kind of gave up trying to figure it out. I think that was sort of the point, though: giving up on "reality" and just accepting the absurdity and uncertainty. In the 1960s when this was written, I have no doubt his style was novel and groundbreaking. Now, it just seems to be a case of "been there, done that." I appreciate the satire, but think its message is still eluding me. Maybe it will come to me down the line, perhaps through that nebulous, conspiratorial entity Pynchon attempts to expose: The Postal Service!
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