56 pages 1 hour read

Thomas Pynchon

The Crying of Lot 49

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1966

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 intrigues with its complex narrative and rich symbolism, earning praise for its innovative storytelling and capturing mid-20th-century paranoia. However, some find its dense plotting and elusive meaning frustrating. The novel's brevity offers an accessible entry into Pynchon's work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Crying of Lot 49?

Readers who enjoy The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon typically appreciate complex, postmodern narratives with elements of conspiracy and satire. Fans of Pynchon's work often also enjoy books like Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon and Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. These readers relish intricate plotting and deep, thought-provoking themes.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1060L

Book Details

Genre
Satire
American Literature
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Period
Post Modernism
Themes
Values/Ideas: Fate
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Topics
History: U.S.
History: World