For fans of Pynchon’s more detective/noir influenced works, I strongly recommend “The Dog of the South” by Charles Portis (he also wrote “True Grit,” fwiw).

Certainly not as erudite as Pynchon but a really fun (and funny) read nonetheless. Has a great (dare I say “zany”) energy and sprawling narrative (and narrator). The story’s stakes feel a little lower, but I think it works in the book’s favor.

That was my first Pynchon novel and what an incredible one at that. Clearly one of the greatest experiences I had with some of the best prose I've read.

Just one question that I had regarding the novel. I am not bothered by the relatively unresolved or seemingly unresolved plot lines but I was wondering about the Slothrop sexual conquests/V2 bomb sites if there was an actual resolution I missed or if it is just left in the dark. I understand that Slothrop was conditioned by Jamf pavlovians experience as a child to grow an erection when encountering Imipolex G, but except if we accept the Gottfried/00000 rocket as a reality shattering object that allows informations to go back through time, I can't make sense of why there would be a cause/effect reaction in versed for the bombing and Slothrop night stands.

My other theory is that Slothrop just react to Imipolex G, but that the bomb sites/ Slothrop girl map correlation is pure luck and it was interpreted as cause and effect by Pointsman due to the nature of his studies and just the sheer improbability of such event to occurs.

If you can help me to explain that plot thread I would be very thankful.

Have a great day