A PYNCHON OF SALT

And now a review of ‘Vineland’ based on reality. “Gravity’s Rainbow” is the greatest novel of the 20th century, or at least since “Ulysses.” But to compare “Vineland” with “Finnegan’s Wake” is like comparing a condo to the Taj Mahal.

“Vineland” is funny and hip and well-written; it is also superficial and disappointing for the very reasons McConnell praises. The invention, complexity and dark poetry of “V” and “Gravity” are replaced by the easy and already well-thrashed targets of Reaganism, malls, So. Cal., Yuppies, Val-speak, etc.

Pynchon doesn’t have to prove anything to us at this stage in his career, and “Vineland” is just a little lark to let us all know that. Rilly.

JEREMIAH EVANS

ANAHEIM