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Trick-Two497 t1_j9joawx wrote

From a NYTimes review of the book: "Gravity's Rainbow is bonecrushingly dense, compulsively elaborate, silly, obscene, funny, tragic, pastoral, historical, philosophical, poetic, grindingly dull, inspired, horrific, cold, bloated, beached and blasted." In other words, it's not everyone's cup of tea. Do you really think that Pynchon was trying to write something that would be? I think this is part of being in a book club. You'll find that people have different tastes. I'm reading Blood Meridian with a book club. I hate it. I understand it, but I don't understand why it was written, why we are reading it, or why people think it's a classic. But other people love it. It's nothing to do with who is smarter than who. It's just our personal reaction to the book.

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[deleted] OP t1_j9lsi15 wrote

Why do you hate blood meridian? Is it because it's too dark? I loved the book and thought it was really well written.

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Trick-Two497 t1_j9ltink wrote

Violence, cheapness of human life, racism (which I understand was part of the culture then, but I don't like it in my ears or my eyes). I haven't finished it yet. Perhaps it will redeem itself somehow, but honestly, I just don't like all the violence even if it does.

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[deleted] OP t1_j9luxm1 wrote

I think a large part of his work is to shed light on the darker side of reality. The wild west was a violent, racist, bloodbath. He has the same attitude in the road as well. For me, that's why I like him. He reminds you that those times were not fun, cowboy fairy tales. He reminds you that page turning adventures in reality would probably just high stakes and terrifying.

It's like the heavy contrast you see between a commercial for joining the Marines, filled with cool hero guys and pride vs an interview with an actual vet who has PTSD. So that's completely understandable. If you look past the shock factor, it really does have some beautiful writing though. Try and desensitize yourself to it a little and look past the gore.

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Trick-Two497 t1_j9lx6xx wrote

Yeah, I'm reading it. But I have PTSD myself, so I'm already well aware of the darker side of reality. This is just not something I'm going to enjoy.

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[deleted] OP t1_j9lxuj7 wrote

Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you shouldn't read it. There's no reason to put yourself through that.

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Trick-Two497 t1_j9lzj55 wrote

Ah well, just one more week in the book club. I try to give things a chance, but I won't read any other McCarthy books in the future.

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[deleted] OP t1_j9m0w4v wrote

Right on. I don't have PTSD so I view the book differently. I like his work being dark because it reminds me to enjoy the peace I'm able to have currently. I hope you can find at least some enjoyment before you finish. I'm sorry that you're struggling with it. Peace be with you. Have a nice evening.

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