V.

Much has been written about the enigmatic and ever-elusive author Thomas Pynchon. Entire wikis are dedicated to recording every noun, allusion, instance of symbolism, and historical fact in his novels. Academia has has been attempting to describe his works for over 30 years with Pynchon Notes. I prefer a moderate stance. To me, his books are just a golden ticket in to his universe. You may take a guided tour and follow the story arc all the way to the end, but when that glass elevator bursts through the ceiling of his factory, you turn to face Pynchon, but he's gone. The elevator is hit with a guided missile and you're left plummeting toward the earth.

Despite being his first novel, V. is no exception to feelings of free-fall and a mountain of questions when you reach the finish. It's essentially the story of two protagonists - one, content with lazing away his days on the streets or bumming around in friends' houses and another fervently searching for "V," whom he believes could be his long-lost mother. As we read, more instances of "V" are found - a mad priest who is trying to convert his rat/lover/devout follower, Veronica; a Utopian land, Vheissu that may or may not exist; and, finally, the capital of Malta, Valletta. Yes, there are more, but lest I risk spoiling any of the fun, I will refrain from including them.

So much is packed in to this novel. Pynchon's erudition is undeniable, but this doesn't prevent him from including comical slap-stick relief and potty humor. From condom bombs to erections to climbing radio towers so the waves will render one sterile, it's all there. The plot of the novel does follow somewhat of a delineated path. The beginning of the novel has our protagonists thousands of miles apart, but as the book progresses, they eventually come closer and closer, until finally meeting each other and heading off together to search for "V" in Valletta. There are many sidetracks and side character stories, but it's not quite as labyrinthine as Pynchon's later novel, Gravity's Rainbow.

I could go on and on about this book, but I almost prefer not to. I don't think it's meant to analyzed so closely. I believe much of the book is about searching and persevering whether or not you know what it is you're looking for. Reading this book is like following bread crumbs. Along the way, you'll find something that another person definitely missed.