V. 1963 Literature

Thomas Pynchon

V. is an insanely good debut novel, but just kind of insanely good even without the knowledge it's a debut novel. Like with a lot of postmodernism, Infinite Jest being a key example of this, there are definitely some eye-glaze-over sort of moments where the author cares a lot more about certain plot points than you do. Like, honestly, I enjoyed the Stencil chapters, but the Whole Sick Crew chapters are better by a country mile. I know that like all Pynchon characters are supposed to be kind of unlikable and one dimensional but the Whole Sick Crew is like the most lovably messed-up casts of characters I've read in fiction. Also, I love the songs. An absolutely wild ride, but it's a modern classic for a reason.