Mindful Pleasures: Essays on Thomas Pynchon

by George Lewis Levine (Editor), David Leverenz (Editor)

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Essays

278 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1976

Reviews

[Маx Nestelieiev · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice collection, but the most essential here are
Pynchon's poetry / William Vesterman
and
Gravity's encyclopedia / Edward Mendelson

[Mike E. Mancini]

Mindful Pleasures is a great place to start if a reader desires a collection of enlightening essays on any of Pynchon's first three novels or his short stories. This is an excellent anthology of analysis and criticism on Pynchon, worth returning to in the future.

[Judson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bristling with thick smarts that spurred and oriented me through my 2nd read of V, which I had to re-read because the first time I barely paid attention and nothing stuck. The "encyclopedic narrative" essay is memorable, as are most of the others. Here's the thing though: You really don't need to read any of this stuff unless you've already read The Crying of Lot 49, V, and Gravity's Rainbow AND you continue to like thinking about them AND you don't mind feeling like you whiffed on major parts of each and should probably take another swing/crack/go-round.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first collection of essays in re: the early works of TP. Although i can not agree with all points of view i find the selection to be still valid. The thought provoking-ness is well worth a read or re-read. Many of the points and approaches shared continue to elucidate what the latter works are.

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent collection of early Pynchon criticism. in parts it all sounds very naive, of course, but TRP's books had been read at least with much love

[J.I.]

Solid, well-thought out essays on Pynchon's works. Nothing earth shattering, but nothing frivolous.

[Jeff Keehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recall finding this book in the bookstore at Michigan State University. I was on campus with a good friend, Scott Schlund. I hadn't started college yet but I had read Gravity's Rainbow and I was eager to read some criticism. I believe I still have this book in a box somewhere in our basement in Michigan. One other thing I recall about that day was losing a pair of prescription sunglasses. Still it was a great day of new experiences and a taste of things to come.