Customer Reviews
The best elements of Quentin Tarantino and Tom Wolfe, rolled into one - By: Talc Demon, 21 Aug 2008 
It's very difficult to write a review about such a multi-faceted book. Some talk of it being a sort of conspiracy-based story, but that's not even part of it. Set against a post-summer-of-love Reagan-era backdrop, the conspiracy part is the evil FBI agent chasing former political activist. However, rolled into that is eastern mysticism & spiritual martial art at one end, the subtle menace of alien invasion at the other & lots of other exciting stuff inbetween. To provide the pathos is a convoulted menage-a-I-forget-how-many, further confounded by elements of pure sadistic lust.
It's difficult to say who the main character is, as Pynchon somehow engages a Tarantino-esque effect of multiple converging storylines, married with beat writing reminiscent of Tom Wolfe's Electric Koolade Acid Test. In fact speaking of Tarantino, I watched the Kill Bill films soon after I read this book, & it's striking how similar to Vineland the atmosphere & themes seemed.
That's as close to a description of the story as I'll go, for fear of spoiling it. Stylistically Pynchon is awesome, giving depth & historical context to his characters & yet being almost stream-of-consciousnessin his writing. But it all hangs together, even through the 1/2 page-long sentences.
This was a fantastic read that I was truly disappointed to end, & is one of the few books that I will read again. Although I do appreciate that some readers might find his slightly schizophrenic style hard to tolerate, I would certainly recommend this to others.
Didn't work for me - By: Nicholas Whyte, 19 Mar 2008 
Sorry, this just doesn't do it for me. Writing style too convoluted, characters wackyin a rather uninteresting way, plot non-existent. One or two flashes of good description among the plodding.
John Updike Channels George Carlin - By: Ethan Cooper, 20 Dec 2007 Don't read VINELAND expecting a linear narrative about people who, oh, manage the office. Instead, be ready to follow cartoon characters, often scarred by the turmoil of the Sixties, whose stories are part nightmare, part larky fantasy, & part political commentary. Then, be ready as their stories lead to other characters whose experiences double back or leap forward, forming a loose web of complex digressions that are fascinating, troubling, and, shall we say, silly, hm?
In addition, don't expect consistency. Read VINELAND & see one character die but rejoin the action. See another escape from jail & the evil Brock Vond, only to reappearin that jail again (same time same place, as far as I could tell) to suffer Brock's brutal dominance. But, who cares? VINELAND is a web of interaction, not some boring story of simple cause & effect.
In some respects, VINELAND is that old saw-a riddle wrappedin a mystery inside an enigma. But this time, it's not Churchill describing Russia; it's the lyrical John Updike channeling George Carlin on a great & hilarious riff.
At the same time, THREE-CHEERS for the Pynch, who ties everything togetherin the final chapterin a neat post-modern package. There, you will find his clear & amusing narrative explanations for the bizarre DL & Takeshi, the toxic Brock, & the earnest stoner Zoyd. There's his silly overview of the story-"Oh, the usual journey from point A to point B." Pynch even tells you what happens to Desmond, the feral family dog, who seemed lost forever.
VINELAND has a singular, playful, & awesome associative style, with Pynchonin total control. And since it's Pynchon, he tells you. Indeed, this reader found on page 160in the original hardcover: "A young woman with regular features, wearing a draped white gown, appeared out of the airport crowds, leaned her forearm on Takeshi's shoulder, whispered, `Watch the paranoia, please!' & then disappeared again." Read the book & you'll see this is Pynchon, having fun, with Lady Literature reminding him to set limits.
A really terrific novel & well worth the effort.
A Perfect Introduction to a Unique Author - By: M. Barrett, 29 Oct 2002 I can't remember how I came across Vineland originally. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting. I was vaguely aware of Thomas Pynchon's reputation as a recluse, & I suppose I just thought it was about time I discovered what all the fuss what about, expecting an anti-climactic disappointment.
But what an amazing discovery, which since that date has been my favourite book & undoubtedly the one I would select if one day banished to some remote place with a single volume limit.
Not only did this book make me laughin a way I never have before or since, behind the bizarre descriptions of life past & presentin the United States lies a serious message. I am not sure it is possible to fully understand Americans without reading this book.
I could not more strongly recommend it.
My favourite Pynchon? - By: , 12 Oct 2000 Vineland was my introduction to Pynchon ten years ago, & I think it's aged very well. On its own, it's a brilliant book, a dissection of America's rebellion years of the Sixties & the clampdown decade of the Eighties. Packed full of amazing language, rock n roll, conspiracies, riots, lunatics, ghosts, ninjas, TV, video, drugs, pizza, chainsaws, cops...Vineland is pure Pynchon. It's always played down because of its comparison to Gravity's Rainbow, but this is the more human, funny & accessible book, & a lot more tightly controlled. Read it for yourself.
