Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon's Novel Gravity's Rainbow : Book Review

Zak Smith's "Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon's Novel Gravity's Rainbow" is a remarkable and visually striking companion to Pynchon's renowned work. This unconventional book takes on the challenging task of capturing the essence of each page through intricate illustrations, providing readers with a truly unique and immersive experience.

With 760 drawings, representing every page of Pynchon's complex and labyrinthine novel, Smith's artwork beautifully brings to life the vivid and imaginative world of "Gravity's Rainbow." The attention to detail and creativity displayed in each drawing is truly impressive, capturing the various characters, settings, and events that unfold throughout the narrative.

Accompanying the illustrations are brief annotations for each page, offering additional context and insight into the original text. These annotations highlight key themes, motifs, and references found in the novel, enriching the reader's understanding and appreciation of Pynchon's work. Smith clearly paid careful attention to the intricacies of the novel, ensuring that his illustrations and annotations align with the author's intent.

One of the remarkable aspects of this book is how Smith manages to capture the spirit and essence of Pynchon's writing style through his illustrations. The drawings effectively convey the blend of humor, satire, and surrealism that are characteristic of Pynchon's work, immersing readers in the weird and wonderful world of "Gravity's Rainbow." Smith's creative interpretation adds an additional layer of depth to the novel, making it a must-have for fans and enthusiasts.

"Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon's Novel Gravity's Rainbow" is a visually captivating and intellectually stimulating companion to Pynchon's acclaimed work. Zak Smith's intricate drawings and insightful annotations offer readers a unique and immersive way to engage with and appreciate the complexities of "Gravity's Rainbow." This book is a delightful addition to any Pynchon fan's collection and a testament to the power of visual storytelling.

What are readers saying?

Zak Smith's book, "Pictures Showing What Happens on Each Page of Thomas Pynchon's Novel Gravity's Rainbow," has received a range of reviews from readers.

Some reviewers commended Smith's meticulous attention to detail in his illustrations of scenes and events from Pynchon's complex novel. They appreciated the effort he put into capturing the story's essence and bringing it to life through his artwork. These readers found the book to be a valuable companion to Gravity's Rainbow, enriching their understanding and appreciation of the original work.

However, there were others who felt that Smith's illustrations were overwhelming and detracted from the reading experience. They found the abundance and explicitness of the drawings unnecessary and distracting. These readers preferred to rely on their own imagination while reading, rather than having the story visually interpreted for them.

Furthermore, a common criticism of the book was its limited accessibility to those who hadn't yet read Gravity's Rainbow. Many reviewers believed that Smith's illustrations would only be meaningful to readers already familiar with Pynchon's work, thus limiting its appeal to a specific audience.

Some reviewers also expressed disappointment in the quality of the illustrations, finding the style to be crude and amateurish. They felt that a more skilled artist could have better captured the complexity and depth of Pynchon's writing, which ultimately diminished their enjoyment of the book.

GravitysRainbow Pynchon BookArt