[may 2025] a disappointing novel by an excellent writer — the first chapter was gorgeous, and i have re-read the opening page tens of times. it's beautiful. pynchon so obviously can & does write good prose. there are charming moments throughout (what i read of) the book — dr hilarius' faces, mucho at the used car lot, oedipa putting on all of her clothes — but equally as many that feel contrived, undercut by seemingly pointless narrative devices. all of this being said, i would definitely like to read more pynchon