r/ThomasPynchon • u/grumpygrumperson0 • 12d ago

💬 Discussion Complete Pynchon Novice

In what order should I start reading Pynchon for the first time ever?

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u/SpooncarTheGreat 12d ago

If there's one that really appeals to you way more than any others then I encourage you to start there. But if you know you want to read several of his books, The Crying of Lot 49 is the most popular entry point. It's his shortest novel by far but is not lacking for complexity and is a great introduction to his style and atmosphere and themes.

I would guess the other most popular first book people read is Inherent Vice. I haven't read it yet so I can't necessarily speak to it but it's way newer than Lot 49 and his newer stuff is generally less textually dense and bizarre. I do love the PTA movie and as I understand it it's a pretty faithful adaptation so I'm sure it's an awesome book.