Is it recomended for a high school senior to read "Gravity's Rainbow" even if it's a difficult book??

Question

i recently heard about this book, called gravity's rainbow, here in Yahoo!...and i somehow became interested in it.. but i heard that it was one of the most difficult books out there to read..i want to read it, but i want to know if it's worth reading it. any answer welcomed... thanks!

Answer 1

I've never thought of Pynchon as difficult to read. Difficult to grasp everything that's going on, yes, but I think you'll get enough to make it worth your while. The reason people read Pynchon has nothing to do with all the ponderous postmodern pontification that's attached to him; we read him because he's wildly entertaining.

If the sheer bulk of "Gravity's Rainbow" has you intimidated, start with "The Crying of Lot 49". It deals with some of the same themes in a much shorter and more linear story. And don't think you didn't get it because you couldn't figure it all out - a certain amount of indeterminacy is part of the message.

Answer 2

of course it is worth reading but it is a commitment- you can start with some of pynchon's short fiction to see if you like the way he writes, there is a book called 'Slow Learner' or you could try the novel 'the crying of lot 49' which is shorter but plays with similar themes.

Answer 3

I think you should read it, especially if you have the time. If you don't understand it, you can always read it again until you do. If you plan on going to college, and are interested enough, I'm sure you can find a professor who can explain it to you.

Answer 4

Don't believe everything you hear. Go. Read it. Enjoy.