Re: a comment on the books we read..
Andrew Masashi Abrams (ama5q@server1.mail.virginia.edu)
Thu, 1 May 1997 17:24:02 -0400 ()
About grouping the various books we have read this
semester: I would place the eight books in four groups of
two. First of all, I think Galatea 2.2 and White Noise
belong together; they both involve characters trying to
overcome some monumental fear as the central theme. In
White Noise it is the conquering of the fear of death, and
in Galatea it is conquering the fear of life esentially,
the fear that one is lost in an empty void with so much to
do but so little that seems worthwhile. Both Richard and
Jack are searching for meaning in their lives.
The next grouping I would make would be Mumbo Jumbo
and Vineland, two novels which deal with specific eras
which figure very importantly in certain movements- the jes
grew movement in one, and the rebellion against authority
movement in the other. Both novels have elements of
nostalgia, and a way of retelling history.
I think that The Mezzanine and Dark Decade do
belong together, despite their vastly different styles,
simply due to the common lack of a plot which is rare the
traditional novel form, though apparently not so rare in
the postmodern era. In both these books, the language is
what is important, and not the events. The reader is meant
to find meaning in the words and not in the actions of the
characters.
Lastly, I would group Neuromancer and Empire of the
Senseless together. These two novels share a common
cyberpunk style, and also share the common theme of the
loss of humanity in the future. The future in both of
these novels is bleak, and Godless. Humanity has been
degraded by biological alterations which leads to a loss of
identity.
Andy Abrams