Thomas Pynchon's 'Against the Day': A Luminous Epic
Thomas Pynchon's sixth novel, 'Against the Day' (French title 'Contre-jour'), published by Éditions du Seuil in the 'Fiction & Cie' collection and translated by Claro, is an 'infinitist' book of over 1,200 pages. The narrative follows multiple clans: the Chums of Chance, a balloon crew; the Traverse family, anarchists; and the capitalist Vibe family. Key characters include photographer Merle Rideout, his daughter Dally, Russian mathematician Yasmina Halfcourt, and the electrician Kit Traverse. The novel explores light as a poetic and political force, touching on electricity, ether, and the spiritual. It delves into anarchist struggles against capitalism, set against the lead-up to World War I. Pynchon uses Iceland spar (calcite) as a metaphor for reading and dimensional travel, subverting time through light. The novel references historical figures like Nikola Tesla and includes themes of entropy, time, and history. The translation by Claro is praised as an extraordinary achievement.
Key facts
- Thomas Pynchon's sixth novel 'Against the Day' is published in French as 'Contre-jour' by Éditions du Seuil.
- The translation by Claro spans over 1,200 pages.
- The novel features the Chums of Chance, the Traverse family, and the Vibe family.
- Key characters include Merle Rideout, Dally, Yasmina Halfcourt, and Kit Traverse.
- Light is a central theme, explored through photography, electricity, and spirituality.
- The novel addresses anarchist vs. capitalist struggles and the causes of World War I.
- Iceland spar (calcite) serves as a metaphor for reading and dimensional travel.
- The novel opens with a quote by Thelonious Monk.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Pynchon
- Claro
- Thelonious Monk
- Nikola Tesla
Institutions
- Éditions du Seuil
- art press
Locations
- Chicago
- Venice
- Specchi
- Malta
Sources
- artpress —