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molly_davis's review
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shontayromey's review
challenging
funny
fast-paced
3.5
Don’t look too deeply for an actual meaning to this story. Lower your expectations when reading it, and it’s honestly pretty funny.
balbert1525's review
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hyperpoints's review
5.0
as someone who has dabbled in an unfortunate measure of political philosophy, I will always appreciate pynchon's engineer-brained takes on political issues, especially since his tendency to side with 60s drug culture's suspicion of power and authority is something I find sympathetic. There's also some very silly and funny stuff in here
Ultimately, it's a short story comparing a sort of modernist way of thinking with a more postmodern approach, via two parallel scenes in an apartment. the despair brought on by the modernist approach and the sense of relief at its formal collapse via the situation is palpable, and I'm always happy for an excuse to scoff at the cynical "heat death of the universe" type perspectives which are so obsessed with this kind of self-fulfilling prophecy in their own thought that they can't even see beyond the window
In other words, it's a clever satirical take on what remain to this day as common worldviews and hints at ideas Pynchon will unpack in some of his later writing. it's one of those "what's different about these two pictures" type of stories, like you used to get in the newspaper. good stuff
Ultimately, it's a short story comparing a sort of modernist way of thinking with a more postmodern approach, via two parallel scenes in an apartment. the despair brought on by the modernist approach and the sense of relief at its formal collapse via the situation is palpable, and I'm always happy for an excuse to scoff at the cynical "heat death of the universe" type perspectives which are so obsessed with this kind of self-fulfilling prophecy in their own thought that they can't even see beyond the window
In other words, it's a clever satirical take on what remain to this day as common worldviews and hints at ideas Pynchon will unpack in some of his later writing. it's one of those "what's different about these two pictures" type of stories, like you used to get in the newspaper. good stuff
zekelikeybooks's review
5.0
This is like the best thing ever it is so good. Classic Pynchon shit. Great short read about the heat death of the universe. Someone almost drowns in the shower because she sat on the drain. Brilliant. Pynchon baby.
gwynethralston's review
2.0
"What it is is, most of the things we say, I guess, are mostly noise."
Literally no idea what was happening at all, but it is Pynchon so nothing new there.
Literally no idea what was happening at all, but it is Pynchon so nothing new there.
julieannholland's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is quite an interesting short story. When I first read it, I found it kinda silly and pointless to be honest. But after discussing it in class and diving deeper into the text, there is depth inside the story. Only thing is, I still didn't find it that intriguing. The best part for me, was when the wife broke the window and everything just went calm again. And I like that this short story deals with the balance between chaos and calm. It has it interesting aspects, I just personally don't feel any attachment at all to this story. It is well written though, and for its time, it is definitely unique. Just at the end of the day the theme of balancing chaos and calm just wasn't enough for me to stay engaged.
krislenda's review
2.0
It got pretty metaphorical and 'clever' in ways that just did not help the it at all. I ended up confused, in stead of impressed.
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