Thomas Pynchon is one of the modern world’s most accomplished writers. This compilation of his early works gives us a rare moment of clarity; here you get to see the Pynchon before Gravity’s Rainbow, the Pynchon pre-perfection. This book is worth buying for the introduction alone. To have one of the greatest writers in the English language give his philosophy of writing is phenomenal. I loved this books so much! I could not give it enough praise.