Date of Birth: May 8, 1937
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
Thomas Ruggles Pynchon Jr. is an American novelist renowned for his dense and complex novels. Born on May 8, 1937, in Glen Cove, New York, Pynchon has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary literature. He graduated from Cornell University, where he studied English. Pynchon briefly served in the U.S. Navy before embarking on a writing career that has spanned several decades. His works are characterized by intricate plots, a vast array of characters, and themes that often explore the intersection of science, mathematics, history, and literature. Pynchon’s debut novel, “V.,” published in 1963, received critical acclaim and established him as a significant new voice in American literature. This was followed by “The Crying of Lot 49” in 1966, which further cemented his reputation. However, it was his 1973 novel “Gravity’s Rainbow,” a sprawling narrative set during the final months of World War II, that earned him the National Book Award for Fiction and elevated him to literary stardom. Despite his success, Pynchon is famously reclusive, rarely making public appearances or giving interviews. His other notable works include “Vineland” (1990), “Mason & Dixon” (1997), “Against the Day” (2006), “Inherent Vice” (2009), and “Bleeding Edge” (2013).
5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Pynchon
1. Thomas Pynchon is known for his reclusiveness and has not been photographed publicly since the 1950s.
2. He briefly worked as a technical writer for Boeing, which influenced the technical jargon in his novels.
3. Pynchon won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1974 for “Gravity’s Rainbow.”
4. His novel “Inherent Vice” was adapted into a film by director Paul Thomas Anderson in 2014.
5. Pynchon has made cameo voice appearances on the animated television show “The Simpsons.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Pynchon
1. “If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about answers.”
2. “A screaming comes across the sky. It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to now.”
3. “You may never get to touch the Master, but you can tickle his creatures.”
4. “Everything is connected, everything in the universe.”
5. “There is no true compassion without will.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Thomas Pynchon’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Thomas Pynchon has one child, a son named Jackson Pynchon, born in 1991.
Relevant Links
1. [Thomas Pynchon Biography](https://www.biography.com/writer/thomas-pynchon
2. [National Book Award Winners](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/thomas-pynchon/
3. [Inherent Vice Film](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1791528/
5. [Gravity’s Rainbow Summary](https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gravitysrainbow/
