Pynchon: Online Video

A special aired just before the release of “Vineland” in the UK, including two accounts of meetings with P himself. See also John Coulhart’s blog post on that show from 31 years later.

This is a lecture on the short story “that started it all”; and don’t underestimate this: “Entropy” is far more than just a short story, it deserves attention for how the concept of “postmodernism” is reflected in it – and where it is (probably) not. John Pistelli‘s perspective on it not only helps understanding “Entropy” but also its author and what of this we (do not) find in his later works.

In her quite interesting lecture on “The Crying of Lot 49” Amy Hungerford gives an insightful introduction into the novel, its protagonists and its various layers of symbolism and references. Unfortunately the video quality is rather low, but the lecture is definitely worthwhile.

Another lecture on “The Crying of Lot 49” with Michael Mark Cohen. He focuses on the “Crying of Lot 49” as one of three (by now) “Californian” Pynchon novels, exploring Pynchons perception of California and its relevance for the typical “pynchonian” motives as paranoia, technology and history. A good part of the lecture is also dedicated to “Gravity’s Rainbow”. However it still seems to fit best here.

In 3.17 hours Chris talks about pretty much everything a you want to know about Gravity’s Rainbow: summarising (and assessing) the relevant secondary literature—some of which can be found on Spermatikos Logos under Pynchon Criticism: “Gravity’s Rainbow”. Given its length and completeness, this video can be considered a worthy companion to Pynchon’s most famous and complex novel.

In two moderately sized videos John David Ebert talks about Gravity’s Rainbow, elaborating on historic references and symbolism found in the book.

Enlightening analysis of “Gravity’s Rainbow” including lots of context, like Pynchon’s biography and influences.