Product Description

A page-by-page, at times line-by-line, guide to the welter of historical references, scientific data, cultural allusions, anthropological details, jokes and arcane puns in which Pynchon's novel abounds. The book also analyzes Pynchon's use of language and dialect.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #755065 in Books
• Published on: 1988-11-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 345 pages

Customer Reviews

Read GR many times before even thinking of looking at this
Gravity's Rainbow is a novel, a work of the imagination to be read and enjoyed. So read it and enjoy it. After you've done this several times you MIGHT want to take a look at this, to find out exactly what all the crazy references are to - but then, does it really matter? Do you really NEED to know which cartoon character he's refering to, or which film etc? No, of course you don't, unless you are the sad obsessive that GR unfortunately seems to attract. I've read GR several times, and it's probably my favourite book, and I don't care that I don't know the exact details of every last reference and frankly I think that only a real nutter would. So I give the Companion 5 stars for research but wouldn't bother reading it unless you are a GR twitcher.

Read the novel first - then this one
I agree with all the above. However, to avoid the disappointment of finding out how it ends, I suggest reading the novel right through first and using this companion piece for a more leisurely second read. You should soak up the (often seemingly incomprehensible) poetry and enjoy the sheer pleasure of the language before starting the deconstruction - just like other 'difficult' greats (Wasteland, Ulysses etc..). Agree that an annotated version would be brilliant. Surely someone out there fancies a go at it ?

Revealing and helpful, but at a price....
Enormous fun, very helpful for bringing Pynchon down where we mortals can begin to digest, but I had to set it aside; Wesenberg drops too many subtle and not so subtle hints about events, characters, and places that have yet to be introduced. (viz. I'm on p. 136 of the novel and I already have a pretty clear idea not only of many future events, but of how the book concludes.)