Practically synonymous with the ‘postmodern novel’ for which he has furnished multiple foundational examples, Thomas Pynchon’s reputation as a writer seems identical to his status as a novelist. Yet, among and between Pynchon’s major works, and especially between the three monumental historical novels

(1973),

(1997), and

(2006), are scattered nonfictional writings that range from reviews and essays in the pages of the

to literary introductions, liner notes, and journalistic reports.

Together, these works comprise a page-count shorter than any of Pynchon’s novels, though their breadth in style and subject matter are no less varied than their fictive counterparts. For the reader of Pynchon’s novels, these writings

3556 words

Citation: Marks, Gregory. "Nonfiction essays". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 September 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=41532, accessed 21 November 2024.]