Don't even bother this book is such a bummer. It's so antagonistically *quirky* it reminds you immediately of the talentless fiction writers sucking up to the teacher in the front of the class who all swore a vow of loyalty to Pynchon and whacky antics. V. is much better. So is Gravity's Rainbow. This book SUCKS. I was so frustrated after finishing it I questioned throwing it out the window. It's just stupid and obvious and all it's got going for it is it's obvious drive to be zany. Word on the street is even Pynchon thought it was a jerk.