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Discovering Inherent Vice and the World of Thomas Pynchon

Inherent Vice was my first exposure to the literary world of Thomas Pynchon. Funnily enough, I had never even heard of him before. But now that I have, I feel like I see his name everywhere—especially in conversations involving my all-time favourite author, Cormac McCarthy.

I discovered Inherent Vice through the film adaptation, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. In my opinion, PTA is one of—if not the—best directors ever. That said, if you've seen his adaptation of Inherent Vice, you’ll know it’s quite a strange film. Even as a huge PTA fan, I found it to be a bit of a head-scratcher when I first watched it. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t leave it feeling confused and lost in the haze of what was going on.

That is—until I read the novel.

A Trippy Detective Story That Makes More Sense in Print

Reading Pynchon’s book helped everything click. I haven’t had the chance to rewatch the film in full since finishing the novel, but I can’t wait to do so now that I understand the plot and characters better.

While the movie was my gateway, this is really about the book, not the film.

And I absolutely loved the book.

Yes, it’s a bit challenging to follow at times, but I think that’s very intentional. Pynchon brilliantly puts the reader into the hazy shoes of Larry “Doc” Sportello, a private investigator navigating the strange world of 1970s California. It's a foggy, psychedelic ride, and somehow that confusion becomes part of the fun.

Characters, Chaos, and Conspiracies

Doc is an instantly memorable character, but what really stood out was the entire cast of side characters. Shasta, his mysterious ex; Sauncho, his insane and hilarious attorney; Bigfoot Bjornsen, the cop with a twisted love-hate relationship with Doc—they’re all so well-drawn and full of weird charm. Then there’s the once-hipster musician who fakes his death, the gang of dentists, and the enigmatic Golden Fang. Every chapter feels like tumbling into a new rabbit hole.

The plot is intentionally tangled, with threads that seem disconnected until they’re not. Pynchon makes paranoia into an aesthetic. And yet, underneath all the absurdity and slapstick comedy, there’s a deep undercurrent of nostalgia, loss, and cultural decay.

Themes Beneath the Surfboard

What really surprised me about Inherent Vice was how much it had to say beneath the surface. It's more than a stoner noir—it’s a meditation on the death of the ’60s dream, the collapse of counterculture, and the creeping paranoia of a new era. It touches on spirituality, love, loss, and time’s unstoppable march forward. Somehow, all of that is baked into a story involving missing people, dentists, and surf rock.

Pynchon’s writing is something else entirely. It’s dense but not inaccessible. It’s funny, stylish, and wildly imaginative. He can shift from slapstick to heartbreak in a sentence, and it feels effortless.

So… What Should I Read Next?

Here’s where I need some advice.

Since finishing Inherent Vice, I’ve been itching to read more Pynchon. Of course, I’ve heard that Gravity’s Rainbow is the masterpiece. But to be honest, I’m a little intimidated by its reputation. I want to read his entire body of work eventually, so it’s more a matter of where to go next.

If you’ve read more Pynchon, I’d love to hear what you’d recommend as a follow-up. The Crying of Lot 49? Vineland? Should I just go for Gravity’s Rainbow and see what happens?

Full Circle: A Quick Shoutout to PTA

The more I write about this book, the more I want to rewatch the movie. Thinking back on it, Paul Thomas Anderson did a phenomenal job translating such a difficult novel into film. He captured the vibe of the book in a way few adaptations ever do—confusion, paranoia, comedy, and all.

Final Thoughts

This book left me stumped for a while. I had no idea how to write about it right after finishing. It took time to soak in, and I’m glad I waited. If I’d written this sooner, it might have been even more incoherent than it already is!

All I can really say is this: I loved everything about Inherent Vice. It’s a weird, beautiful, hilarious, heartbreaking ride—and if that sounds like your thing, I can’t recommend it enough. Whether you're a fan of detective stories, psychedelic tales, or just really good writing, give it a shot.

And thank you, Paul Thomas Anderson, for making such a great adaptation—and for helping me discover Thomas Pynchon.
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