Inherent Vice

Thomas Pynchon

Jun 2012 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The New York Times bestseller • Named a best book of the year by the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times

“The funniest book Pynchon has written.” —Rolling Stones

“Entertainment of a high order.” —Time Magazine

Part noir, part psychedelic romp, all Thomas Pynchon—private eye Doc Sportello surfaces, occasionally, out of a marijuana haze to watch the end of an era.

It's been a while since Doc Sportello has seen his ex-girlfriend. Suddenly out of nowhere she shows up with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer whom she just happens to be in love with. It's the tail end of the psychedelic sixties in L.A., and Doc knows that "love" is another one of those words going around at the moment, like "trip" or "groovy," except that this one usually leads to trouble.

In this lively yarn, Thomas Pynchon, working in an unaccustomed genre, provides a classic illustration of the principle that if you can remember the sixties, you weren't there . . . or . . . if you were there, then you . . . or, wait, is it . . .

Ratings and reviews

Easy read that kept my attention the whole time (something I can struggle with). Each time I picked up the book I enjoyed visiting the world and engaging with the interesting characters. Although, for some reason, I found myself just looking to get to the end of the book in order to find out what happened ... I could see how some may say that the ending was unfulfilling, however I would not be one of those people; I felt satisfied when it was all over.

While i find at most times pynchon can be cliche for the sake of, this was still an excellent read. Recommended for people who like a slow starter, that develops quickly and then leaves slightly open.

Love it. . Surfers, smugglers, secret government goons, zombIe surf rock. It doesn't get better

About the author

Thomas Pynchon is the author of V.; The Crying of Lot 49; Gravity’s Rainbow; Slow Learner, a collection of short stories; Vineland; Mason & Dixon; Against the Day; Inherent Vice; Bleeding Edge; and Shadow Ticket. He received the National Book Award for Gravity’s Rainbow in 1974.