I believe our first book, _Vineland_ has a very good chance,
better than most of the books, to still be read in the future.
I think that a lot of Vineland's success depends on the success
of Pynchon's new book whose title escapes me and the continued
success of _The Crying of Lot 49_ (which I read in another
class). I haven't read the new book yet ($27.95--can you
believe that!), but if the book turns into a huge success,
more people will surely pick up _Vineland_ if for nothing else but curiousity.
I don't believe that anyone will ever read _Galatea 2.2_ again
in the next 100 years. Sorry, I didn't enjoy the book at all.
Unlike _Vineland_, whose future success depends more on the
author's other works, I believe that _White Noise_ can
succeed on its own merits. I think DeLilo's book protrayal of
our everyday lives, media invasions, fear of death, and
fascination with disaster holds true. After all, when is Fox
not showing "When Animals Attack" or Police chases caught on
tape that end in disaster (actually maybe this is more of a
comment about the programming director at Fox).
I believe that _The Mezzanine_'s future success is the most in
doubt. I personally enjoyed the book a lot. I could relate to
most of Baker's comments about the little things in life.
(Whenever I look at a hot-air hand dryer, I always question
whether or not they're really a less expensive alternative to
paper towels.) Most people, from what I've heard, either loved
the book or hated it. The book's future success is about
same--either it will disappear forever, or it will be a popular
selection in the future--probably disappearing.
Evidently _Neuromancer_ already enjoys a lot of popularity
outside of mainstream culture in science fiction circles. I
belive that this book will remain just of the outside of
mainstream and will remain popular for a long time (kinda like
old cult films like Rocky Horror).
While I don't think that _Dark Decade_ will enjoy as much
popularity as _Neuromancer_, I could see it developing its own
small fanbase--I doubt it though.
I am another person who was totally repulsed by _Empire of the
Senselss_.
I think that _Mumbo Jumbo_ is well on its way to future
success--it was published in 1970? and didn't go the way of his
other book that we were orginally going to read; At the very
least _Mumbo Jumbo_ still has some staying power--it is
still in print.
Just my two cents.
Jason