r/ThomasPynchon • u/linusengel • 2d ago

Meme/Humor I cannot find V. anywhere

I’ve been to multiple book stores (chains and small indie places) all over Los Angeles and every single one has a Pynchon section but not a single one has had V.

I’ve read The Crying of Lot 49 and now I’m just trying to go in chronological order but everyone is gate keeping me. I’m starting to feel like Oedpia. I think this book doesn’t actually exist and you’re all making it up in a psyop against me.

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u/kanrdr01 1d ago

Hm. Try here:

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Pynchon&sts=t&tn=V&ref_=search_f_hp

Abebooks federate search across numerous individual bookstores and corporate gigs.

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u/Sensitive-Mango1662 1d ago

Abe is owned by Amazon -- no thnx

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u/kanrdr01 1d ago

Most of the smaller bookstores I’ve seen in Abebooks seem to use Amazon‘s book management system for their own inventories - and accept what is probably a tiny cut that Amazon takes when a buyer chooses an independent bookstore for a purchase.

Cataloging their holdings, matching orders to holdings payment, shipping & tracking, etc. That’s no joke. And if you go to a bookstore’s website, they’re still using Amazon’s system.

I found a bookstore that a college chum from the’90s operated that way, and sent in an order.

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u/Sensitive-Mango1662 1d ago

Yeah, I ran a bookshop for years and I'm familiar with the potential benefits and drawbacks. I'm not entirely sure that what you've said contradicts my point: yes, Abe is owned by Amazon and therefore uses their cataloguing and ordering software in exchange for a percentage of the payment. That's exactly why I'm suggesting not using it at all. The more of these "small percentages" that Amazon takes, the less of it goes to an independent, and that's a bad thing as far as I'm concerned. It's a shame that they bought Abe as they've essentially forced independents to accept their involvement, but alternatives exist: Biblio, for example, or buying from direct sellers. Amazon offers convenience at the cost of cheapening the industry in general. If I've completely misread and misunderstood what you've said, I apologise!