Guides & Encyclopedias

Reader's Guide to Literature in English - Editor Mark Hawkins-Dady (London : Fitzroy Dearborn), 1996.
[Davis Reference PR85.R422 1996]


The Reader's Guide to Literature in English contains reviews of 10 literary criticisms of Pynchon's works. It includes an introduction of the history and proliferation of the "industry" of Pynchon critique publication and then goes on to describe the scope of each of the ten chosen published criticisms.

Twentieth-Century Science-Fiction Writers, 3rd edition (Chicago : St. James Press), 1991.
[Davis Reference PS374.S35 T846 1991]


This guide contains a brief bibliography, including Pynchon's novels and short stories, as well as a listing of Critical Studies. There are two pages of critique of the five novels, specifically focusing on Pynchon's use of paranoia. It is a good general introduction to the novels, while introducing many symbolic, reoccurring themes.

Serafin, Steven R. Encyclopedia of American literature.
PS21.E53 1999


The Encyclopedia of American literature contains brief biographies and discussions of the major works of prominent American authors. It contains 2.5 pages of information on Pynchon and briefly discusses of each of the 5 major works. Although it focuses primarily on Mason & Dixon and Gravity's Rainbow, this work would also serve to introduce one to Pynchon's style and place with respect to American literary history.







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