*"The Professor" Irwin Cory was one of the most unique & creative crazy comics of his generation, ... or of any generation. ... when at his best: he was flat-out hysterical.*
Sending Prof. Corey to accept his National Book Award is not only hysterically funny but also a strong sign of Pynchon's genius. To understand the here and now (where most of us rely on history to make sense of events) is some kind of divine power. Pynchon wasn't the only one to recognize the fiction of spectacles presented as fact (e.g. Nixon and Elvis Presley) but he certainly shed a powerful light on the idea.
As I understand it, Pynchon *refused to accept* the award. I don't know if that means that he _turned it down_ (and I'm not sure that you can 'turn down' recognition of something you produce), and I don't know if that means he _refused to accept the $100,000 prize_ . Anyhow, I didn't like the book that much, with the exception of Proverb 3 - *If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers* It was worthwhile reading the book for that single line alone (I read it before the internet enabled distillation and digestion of every insightful phrase in existence).
@budgiegeorge50 Pynchon himself, for one. He quotes The Residents (anachronistically) in his historiographic metafiction (or, if you prefer, steampunk) novel "Against The Day," p. 907, hardback ed.: "'Well,' adjusting her hat and turning to ascend the iron steps, 'here I come, Constantinople.'" Spoken by the well-developed (and thoroughly delightful) major character Dally Rideout.
I enjoyed the author's excited style of thought (pun intended). Much like with, say, 'Finnegans Wake', there are many ways that one can read it, though the language is a tad less fun. If you wish to persevere I simply recommend experimenting until you find an enjoyable method through trial and error or calculation as opposed to that which may come most naturally to you.
Some beautiful parts, once it got The Zone it ran more smoothly for me. Would recommend sticking to the end. Also check out Book Chemist series on GR, helps you feel less alone during the experience.
@@troutmask6800 I heard somewhere anecdotally about him going to a Residents show in the 90s in a facebook group one time? Although not very sure on more details or where this is coming from, take for what you will I suppose
@tottenham19 You forgot "turgid," "unreadable" and "obscene." But that was only the steering committee -- the dillettantes who control the purse strings. The Pu judges voted unanimously to award GR. The Pu still has meaning for journalism, but it's become sort of a joke for literature. It has ridiculous hard requirements like a baby has to be born near the end of a novel. Pynchon fans are still hoping on the Nobel. Pulitzer or Nobel, either you can be sure that Pynchon won't accept them.
Exemplorum gratiis: With the thunder-words of FW one may look up the word fragments that don't leap instantly to mind, riffle (or rifle) through etymologies and mythologies and then subsequently read it in the now familiar context, perhaps even after having analysed the entire book cover-to-cover a few times; one may also just do the last part and think of it as an oneirically tinged, chromatic, perhaps dodeca(co)phonic, musical composition.
*"The Professor" Irwin Cory was one of the most unique & creative crazy comics of his generation, ... or of any generation. ... when at his best: he was flat-out hysterical.*
Irwin Cory debates quantum uncertainty with Stanley Unwin......deep joy!
I think Mort Sahl is the best, but Irwin Corey is in my Top 10.
Love the use of the music from The Residents at the start of this.
"What?"
-Richard Nixon
"However..." XD
What a way to begin a speech!
Sending Prof. Corey to accept his National Book Award is not only hysterically funny but also a strong sign of Pynchon's genius. To understand the here and now (where most of us rely on history to make sense of events) is some kind of divine power. Pynchon wasn't the only one to recognize the fiction of spectacles presented as fact (e.g. Nixon and Elvis Presley) but he certainly shed a powerful light on the idea.
+britteach Viking publishing sent him, not Pynchon.
As I understand it, Pynchon *refused to accept* the award.
I don't know if that means that he _turned it down_ (and I'm not sure that you can 'turn down' recognition of something you produce), and I don't know if that means he _refused to accept the $100,000 prize_ .
Anyhow, I didn't like the book that much, with the exception of Proverb 3 -
*If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers*
It was worthwhile reading the book for that single line alone (I read it before the internet enabled distillation and digestion of every insightful phrase in existence).
Happy 50th anniversary, Gravity’s Rainbow!
Pynchon/Corey, how classic!
I like how one of the loaded suggestions is "Dark Ufo - Video Clip." Very Pynchonian.
I don't have anything to say but wanted to chime in anyway.
squinkque I sort of feel that way except I'm delighted that this comment section seems to lift the range of RUclips comments. And I love Plimpton.
The Residents! Yayyyy!
@budgiegeorge50 Pynchon himself, for one. He quotes The Residents (anachronistically) in his historiographic metafiction (or, if you prefer, steampunk) novel "Against The Day," p. 907, hardback ed.: "'Well,' adjusting her hat and turning to ascend the iron steps, 'here I come, Constantinople.'" Spoken by the well-developed (and thoroughly delightful) major character Dally Rideout.
So good.
It's not noted in the video, but someone ran across the stage nude as soon as Pynchon was named, lol.
I enjoyed the author's excited style of thought (pun intended).
Much like with, say, 'Finnegans Wake', there are many ways that one can read it, though the language is a tad less fun.
If you wish to persevere I simply recommend experimenting until you find an enjoyable method through trial and error or calculation as opposed to that which may come most naturally to you.
Pynchon lives 2.7 miles from me (google maps)
Oh wow you live on google maps too
Gravity's Rainbow was a mindfuck for me? How did you get through it?
Paleface some of us like having our minds fucked
Trial and error
Some beautiful parts, once it got The Zone it ran more smoothly for me. Would recommend sticking to the end. Also check out Book Chemist series on GR, helps you feel less alone during the experience.
Residents are fitting
For some reason, their music appears in a few Pynchon clips. Wonder if Pynchon himself is a fan of their music.
@@troutmask6800 I heard somewhere anecdotally about him going to a Residents show in the 90s in a facebook group one time? Although not very sure on more details or where this is coming from, take for what you will I suppose
@sallyjessyraphael
like Truman Capote?
@tottenham19 You forgot "turgid," "unreadable" and "obscene." But that was only the steering committee -- the dillettantes who control the purse strings. The Pu judges voted unanimously to award GR. The Pu still has meaning for journalism, but it's become sort of a joke for literature. It has ridiculous hard requirements like a baby has to be born near the end of a novel. Pynchon fans are still hoping on the Nobel. Pulitzer or Nobel, either you can be sure that Pynchon won't accept them.
george plimpton, good will hunting
Exemplorum gratiis: With the thunder-words of FW one may look up the word fragments that don't leap instantly to mind, riffle (or rifle) through etymologies and mythologies and then subsequently read it in the now familiar context, perhaps even after having analysed the entire book cover-to-cover a few times; one may also just do the last part and think of it as an oneirically tinged, chromatic, perhaps dodeca(co)phonic, musical composition.
Walker Thomas Gonzalez Paul Anderson Joseph
@SLACKER614 why?
Arreptitiously
What is this from
From Outer Space, of course.
That's not a word.
Paleface It is now.
it sounded pretty uninteresting to me.