Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon is a humorous and retro cool novel set in 1960s Los Angeles, following the adventures of Doc Sportello, a stoner private investigator. The story revolves around a missing land developer who was living with Doc's ex-girlfriend, leading Doc on a trail filled with crooked property developers, phony rock groups, and a mysterious crime ring known as the Golden Fang. The plot spirals into a complex web of paranoia involving the FBI, LAPD, and other shadowy organizations, all while capturing the essence of the countercultural revolution of the era.

Pynchon's writing style in Inherent Vice is described as funny, erudite, and inventive, blending elements of hard-boiled detective noir with a psychedelic twist. The novel features a large cast of characters, pop culture references, and explores themes of drug culture, countercultural movements, and the changing landscape of 1970s California, all presented through Pynchon's signature convoluted yet engaging storytelling.

Characters:

The characters, particularly the protagonist, are depicted with a blend of humor and depth, while secondary figures often fall into stereotypical roles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines humor with a conversational tone, incorporating surreal elements and distinctive dialogue techniques to enhance its psychedelic and comedic effect.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a detective story that intertwines various cases, primarily focusing on missing individuals and associated conspiracies, framed within a straightforward narrative.

Setting:

The setting of early 1970s Los Angeles emphasizes the cultural transformations occurring post-60s, encapsulating a vibrant yet turbulent atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing often meanders, employing a non-linear structure that may confuse but gradually unfolds the narrative.

SHE CAME ALONG THE ALLEY AND UP THE BACK STEPS THE WAY she always used to. Doc hadn’t seen her for over a year. Nobody had. Back then it was always sandals, bottom half of a flower-print bikini, faded...

Notes:

Inherent Vice is set in late 1960s Los Angeles during the transition from the Summer of Love to the dark days of the Manson murders.

Larry 'Doc' Sportello, the protagonist, is a pot-smoking private investigator navigating a convoluted mystery involving conspiracy and corruption.

The title 'Inherent Vice' refers to a concept in insurance law, meaning a flaw in the item or situation that makes its deterioration inevitable.

The novel plays with elements of traditional noir but adds a psychedelic twist, often described as 'stoner noir'.

Pynchon uses a wide array of characters with quirky names and personalities, showcasing the eccentricity of the time and place.

The book tackles themes of paranoia, identity, and the waning hope of the 1960s counterculture.

It features humorous elements, often mocking the detective genre conventions, making it more accessible than Pynchon's earlier works.

Pynchon references real cultural touchstones from the 60s, including TV shows, music, and movies, creating an immersive period atmosphere.

Readers have described the book as both engaging and disorienting, reflecting the drug-laden confusion of the era.

Inherent Vice has been compared to the Coen brothers' film style for its blend of humor and darker themes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include drug use, sexual themes, violence, and references to real-life historical traumas related to crime and societal corruption.

Has Romance?

Inherent Vice features a medium level of romance, centered around Doc's past relationship with Shasta and other romantic undertones with various characters.

From The Publisher:

Part noir, part psychedelic romp, all Thomas Pynchon-Private eye Doc Sportello surfaces, occasionally, out of a marijuana haze to watch the end of an era

In this lively yarn, Thomas Pynchon, working in an unaccustomed genre that is at once exciting and accessible, provides a classic illustration of the principle that if you can remember the sixties, you weren't there.

It's been a while since Doc Sportello has seen his ex- girlfriend. Suddenly she shows up with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer whom she just happens to be in love with. It's the tail end of the psychedelic sixties in L.A., and Doc knows that "love" is another of those words going around at the moment, like "trip" or "groovy," except that this one usually leads to trouble. Undeniably one of the most influential writers at work today, Pynchon has penned another unforgettable book.

Ratings (8)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (2)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (16):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (8)

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About the Author:

Thomas Pynchon is the author of V.; The Crying of Lot 49; Gravity's Rainbow; Slow Learner, a collection of short stories; Vineland; Mason & Dixon; Against the Day; and, most recently, Inherent Vice. He received the National Book Award for Gravity's Rainbow in 1974.

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Inherent Vice

Thomas Pynchon