The Cambridge Companion to Thomas Pynchon by Inger H. Dalsgaard (English) Hardco

Publisher Description

The most celebrated American novelist of the past half-century, an indispensable figure of postmodernism worldwide, Thomas Pynchon notoriously challenges his readers. This Companion provides tools for meeting that challenge. Comprehensive, accessible, lively, up-to-date and reliable, it approaches Pynchon's fiction from various angles, calling on the expertise of an international roster of scholars at the cutting edge of Pynchon studies. Part I covers Pynchon's fiction novel-by-novel from the 1960s to the present, including such indisputable classics as The Crying of Lot 49 and Gravity's Rainbow. Part II zooms out to give a bird's-eye-view of Pynchon's novelistic practice across his entire career. Part III surveys major topics of Pynchon's fiction: history, politics, alterity ('otherness') and science and technology. Designed for students, scholars and fans alike, the Companion begins with a biography of the elusive author and ends with a coda on how to read Pynchon and a bibliography for further reading.

Table of Contents

Introduction Inger H. Dalsgaard, Luc Herman and Brian McHale; Biographical note John M. Krafft; Part I. Canon: 1. Early Pynchon Luc Herman; 2. The Crying of Lot 49 and other California novels Thomas Hill Schaub; 3. Gravity's Rainbow Steven Weisenburger; 4. Mason and Dixon Kathryn Hume; 5. Against the Day Bernard Duyfhuizen; Part II. Poetics: 6. Pynchon in literary history David Cowart; 7. Pynchon's postmodernism Brian McHale; 8. Pynchon's intertexts David Seed; Part III. Issues: 9. History Amy J. Elias; 10. Politics Jeff Baker; 11. Alterity Deborah Madsen; 12. Science and technology Inger H. Dalsgaard; Coda: how to read Pynchon Hanjo Berressem.

Review

"Anyone interested in classic postmodern theory and and how it still defines the way innovative US fiction is read should read this book. --Ali Chetwynd, University of Michigan

Promotional

This essential Companion to Thomas Pynchon provides all the necessary tools to unlock the challenging fiction of this postmodern master.

Review Quote

"Anyone interested in classic postmodern theory and and how it still defines the way innovative US fiction is read should read this book. --Ali Chetwynd, University of Michigan

Promotional "Headline"

This essential Companion to Thomas Pynchon provides all the necessary tools to unlock the challenging fiction of this postmodern master.

Description for Bookstore

Comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date, this book approaches the challenging fiction of the American postmodern master Thomas Pynchon from many different angles. Designed for students, scholars and fans alike, it covers the elusive author's biography and all seven of his novels, surveying topics such as history, politics and science and technology.

Description for Library

Comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date, this book approaches the challenging fiction of the American postmodern master Thomas Pynchon from many different angles. Designed for students, scholars and fans alike, it covers the elusive author's biography and all seven of his novels, surveying topics such as history, politics and science and technology.

Details