Podcast · Arts & Books

Pynchon Pals

by Pynchon Pals · English · Arts & Books

Pynchon Pals is a podcast about finally reading Thomas Pynchon. Join co-hosts and good friends Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long as they talk through, break down, and identify exciting new recipes from the works of one of American literature's foremost figures. Just saw One Battle Af

Typical length: 2 hr 48 min
Language: English

Latest episode

2 hr 57 min

28: In which, thanks to several tangents, the pod’s “temporal bandwidth” goes wild (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.21-3.24)

Topics include: Gravity’s Rainbow ’s Hot or Not, hypertext, philosophy of technology, our expanding universe, old fashioned candy stores, and moles (the coastal structure, not the digging creatures). Oh, and Katje and Pirate are back! Yay? Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.25, 3.26, 3.27, 3.28, and 3.29, or pp. 558-590 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of October’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re watching David Cronenberg's…

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Earlier episodes 27 most recent

E27 · 2 hr 35 min
27: In which we drive like a demon from station to station… to station to station (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.19-3.20)
In this Action-Packed One-Year Anniversary Episode (!), Tyrone Slothrop takes us from Pirates of the Caribbean to Metal Gear Solid . Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, and 3.24, or pp. 527-527 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of September’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re watching Dave Green’s Coyote vs. Acme (2026). Show Notes: Shirley Temple “On the Good Ship Lollipop” ( https://youtu.be/WLLSqpYyPD8 ) Georgia…
E26 · 2 hr 20 min
26: In which the Pynchon Pals all kinda help each other reach several retrospectively obvious conclusions (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.15-3.18)
No sooner did we encounter the Anubis than, as the old sea shanty goes, “it’s time for us to leave her!” And thank heavens for that. But watch out, Slothrop—it’s werewolf season again. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.19 and 3.20, or pp. 500-527 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of September’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re watching Dave Green’s Coyote vs. Acme (2026). Show Notes: “I FOUND ICE CUBE’S ‘GOOD DAY,’” by Donovan…
E25 · 3 hr 2 min
25: In which the Pynchon Pals disagree about what Thomas Pynchon’s best pun is from this week’s reading (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.12-3.14)
Rocketman: I have to go now. My planet needs me. (Note: Rocketman died on the way back to his home planet.) Meanwhile, the book returns, unfortunately for us and for everyone involved, to some of its go-to subjects. And no, not just toilets. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, and 3.18 or pp. 476-500 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of August’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re watching Fritz Lang’s The Testament of…
E24 · 2 hr 59 min
24: In which, of all the fantastical buses out there, magic-school or cat-shaped, we had to end up on THIS one (Gravity’s Rainbow Episode 3.11)
Have we arrived at Thomas Pynchon’s single best piece of writing so far? We three may very well think so. Get the ladder—because this one’s going up in the rafters next to Mondaugen’s story and Oedipa’s dark night of the soul. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.12, 3.13, and 3.14, or pp. 440-476 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of August’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re watching Fritz Lang’s The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933).…
E23 · 2 hr 48 min
23: In which meet die ganze kaputte Bande und/y la dotación enferma (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.6-3.10)
Well gang, we made it to our very own brennschluss point. Or at least we think we did? Join us for the thrilling first issue of ROCKETMAN and reencounter some old friends and some old, old friends. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episode 3.11, or pp. 403-440 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of July’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, we’re watching Merian C. Cooper’s King Kong (1933). Show Notes: Explanation of Lucretius’ “swerve” by Simon…
E22 · 3 hr 8 min
22: In which one sequence, at least, is pretty straightforward (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.3-3.5)
A round of applause for the staff at Thomas Pynchon’s local library in the early 1970s. Working overtime getting that man his Herero cosmologies and Soviet orthographical histories. And, hey, let's hear it for the projectionist at the repertory theater showing all those old slapstick flicks, too. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, and 3.10, or pp. 365-403 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of July’s Patreon-exclusive…
E21 · 2 hr 25 min
21: In which the Pynchon Pals write a limerick (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.1-3.2)
History, math, physics, literature, architecture. This book’s a whole course of study! Do we get a little confused here about the difference between “parabolic” and “catenary” arches here? Sure we do. But we’re pretty sure our explanations of calculus check out! Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5, or pp. 319-365 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of July’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode we’re watching Merian C. Cooper’s…
E20 · 2 hr 37 min
20: In which Patrick uncovers the Pynchon-Star Wars connection (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 2.6-2.8)
Is Slothrop a ghost? Is gravity time travel? Is Joe Biden a fan of the show? What’s in The Zone? These questions and more will not be answered… yet. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 3.1 and 3.2, or pp. 285-319 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of June’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode we’re watching Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). Show Notes: “Tantive IV” via Wookiepedia ( https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Tantive_IV )…
E19 · 3 hr 5 min
19: In which this book is sort of like The History Channel meets The Great Mouse Detective meets Severance meets Riverdale meets Dumb and Dumber (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 2.3-2.5)
Debauchery. Grotesquerie. Eschatology. Showtunes. That’s Thomas Pynchon, for ya! Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 2.6, 2.7, and 2.8, or pp. 247-282 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of May’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode we watched Hitler's Secret Weapon: The V-2 Rocket at Peenemunde (1977) ( link via Archive.org ), V2: Nazi Rocket a.k.a. Hitler's Space Rocket (2016) (there seems to be a couple cuts or versions of this one across…
E18 · 2 hr 23 min
18: In which Patrick finally finds an excuse to do his Jimmy Stewart impression (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 2.1-2.2)
Ah, now this is what we’ve been missing! The sun, the sea, the songs! This episode’s all escapades along the esplanade. At least until the paranoia sets in. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 2.3 through 2.5, or pp. 208-247 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of May’s Patreon-exclusive bonus episode we’ll be watching Hitler's Secret Weapon: The V-2 Rocket at Peenemunde (1977) ( link via Archive.org ), V2: Nazi Rocket a.k.a. Hitler's Space…
E17 · 3 hr 12 min
17: In which we tour Mr. Pynchon’s Mysterious Society for Peculiarly Gifted Bureaucrats (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.17-1.21)
Do we dare go beyond “Beyond the Zero”? Well, first we’ve got to meet a bunch of characters who will surely—surely—be important later. Then, this book heard you liked the occult, so it put a séance in its séance so you can speak to the dead while you speak to the dead. Finally, Roger and Jessica just keep breaking our hearts. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 2.1 and 2.2, or pp. 181-208 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . For the month of May’s bonus…
E16 · 2 hr 46 min
16: In which Crest the savior is born (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.14-1.16)
GR just keeps getting V .-ier and V .-ier. Luckily, there’s a funny scene about candy waiting for us on the other end. And hey, it’s our favorite couple Jessica and Roger! Oh dear, they look very sad… Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.17-1.21, or pp. 139-180 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . Show Notes: “Kristen Lopez on FREAKS (1932),” via Turner Classic Movies “Tulipmania: A Garden Historian's Perspective,” via University of Oxford Content warnings:…
E15 · 2 hr 53 min
15: In which a real live rocket launches (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.8-1.13)
Discussions of Pavlov bookend interdepartmental conspiracy and pseudo-domesticity. Meanwhile Slothrop, like Benny Profane and Herbert Stencil before him, ventures into the sewer. Makes you miss the alligators! Next time—I misspoke in the episode!— Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.14-1.16 (not through 1.17), or pp. 94-139 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . Show Notes: “Lavarand,” the physical cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generator I couldn’t…
E14 · 3 hr 11 min
14: In which the Pynchon Pals, in their arrogance, thought they could talk through more of the book in three hours (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.1-1.7)
Well, we’ve arrived at The Big One. Or, The First Big One, anyways. Join us -- again or for the first time -- as we puzzle out plots, diagram arcane organizational structures, and go long on bananas. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.8-1.13, or pp. 48-94 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . Show Notes: “Banana Breakfast,” by Tom Pynchon’s Liquor Cabinet “There Will Be Bananas,” by NPR’s Throughline podcast “Vintage Original Chiquita Banana 1940's…
E13 · 2 hr 48 min
13: In which we wonder, what if this book was, like, six times as long? (The Crying of Lot 49 Ch. 6)
Angels, dark and light, descend on Southern California, and we bid adieu to Arnold Snarb, I mean, Edna Mosh. Next time, Gravity’s Rainbow sections 1.1 through 1.9, or pp. 1-60 in the U.S. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . Show Notes: “The Simple Art of Murder,” by Raymond Chandler, online e-book via Faded Page . Thomas Pyncon’s introduction to Richard Fariña’s Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me , via pynchon.pomona.edu. Content warnings: strong language, physical…
E12 · 2 hr 50 min
12: “In which the Pynchon Pals retell Platonic dialogues and Porky Pig cartoons” (The Crying of Lot 49 Chs. 4-5)
The devil is in the details in this episode—or should we say, the demon ? We follow Oedipa up north and into the entropic underground. Groovy… Next time, The Crying of Lot 49 Ch. 6. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . Show Notes: Spoilers for Twin Peaks Season 2 around 2:31:50 to 2:32:05! Thomas Pynchon, in correspondence, on The Crying of Lot 49 as a “potboiler,” via Mel Gussow in the New York Times archive “The Crisis of the University Started Long Before Trump,” by Clifford Ando via Compact , on the…
2 hr 46 min
11. In which the Pynchon Pals, unseen, do a little dance (The Crying of Lot 49 Chs. 1-3)
Move over Benny, Rachel, Stencil, and Paola, it’s time for a new book! Journeying into the swingin’ 60s, we talk on the phone, watch television, and even go to the theatre. Hey, wait a second, I know that kazoo tune… Next time, The Crying of Lot 49 Chs. 4-5. Support the show and get access to monthly bonus episodes at patreon.com/pynchonpals and follow us @pynchonpals.bsky.social . Show Notes: “Embroidering the Earth's Mantle,” by Remedios Varo (1961) via Obelisk Covers for The Crying of Lot 49 via thomaspynchon.com The Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air via YouTube Droodles by Roger…
2 hr 7 min
10: In which a ludicrously high budget is needed to produce the V. adaptation of our dreams (V. Q+A)
We hope you enjoy listening to this Q+A episode as much as we enjoyed making it! If so, you can now sign up to support the show via the brand new patreon.com/pynchonpals to get access to future Patreon-exclusive bonus episodes featuring Q+A’s, movie discussion, and more. Next time, The Crying of Lot 49 Chs. 1-3. (Wow, a whole new book!) Show Notes: Content warnings: strong language, physical and sexual violence, misogyny, racism. --- Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli ( www.patf.io and @patfio.bsky.social ). Our theme music is…
2 hr 19 min
09: In which the verdict on V. is, at long last, delivered (V. Epilogue and Wrapup)
Sydney Stencil’s in Valletta for one last job, and so are we. Sail on, sailor! Next time, V. Q+A. Last chance to send in questions on Bluesky or by email: if you’ve got one, we want to read it! Show Notes: St. Agatha’s Crypt, Catacombs & Museum , website “ V. : Analysis of Major Characters,” by Victoria Price via EBSCO “The Mysterious Manicule,” by Keith Houston via Slate Content warnings: strong language, physical and sexual violence, misogyny, racism, body dysmorphia, suicide --- Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli (…
2 hr 52 min
08: In which Thomas Pynchon, like his cousin Taylor Swift, reflects on love (V. Chs. 14-16)
Things lurk Behind the Curtain as we bid farewell to Benny and the gang. And time is running out to send in questions for our V. Q+A in the episode after next! Next time, V. Epilogue. Show Notes: Frank C. Stanley performs “Auld Lang Syne,” recorded 1910 on (now public domain) wax cylinder, released by the Indestructible Record Company, UC Santa Barbara Cylinder Audio Archive Family Relationship of Taylor Swift, Singer and Songwriter, 9th cousin 2 times removed to Thomas Pynchon, American Novelist , FamousKin.com “The Feather Heist,” This American Life , WBEZ Chicago Content warnings: strong…
2 hr 19 min
07: In which a solid option for a V.-themed tattoo emerges (V. Chs. 12-13)
Happy Holidays from Pynchon Pals! In this episode, we stick with the Whole Sick Crew through their ups, their downs, their subsequent downs, their—wow, more downs, huh? Next time, V. Chs. 14-16. Show Notes: Content warnings: strong language, physical and sexual violence, misogyny, racism, suicide, abortion. --- Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli ( www.patf.io and @patfio.bsky.social ). Our theme music is “Horology,” by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives license on the…
3 hr 14 min
06: In which the phrase, “history is like a sine wave,” like a sine wave, recurs (V. Chs. 10-11)
In this episode, we flop around with the Whole Sick Crew, then flip over to the metaphysical hellscape of besieged Malta, before finally deconstructing this whole “V” situation, literally. Next time, V. Chs. 12-13. Show Notes: A collection of V. book covers via ThomasPynchon.com "Mystery and Melancholy of a Street," by Giorgio de Chirico "The Philosopher’s Conquest," by Giorgio de Chirico Content warnings: strong language, physical and sexual violence, misogyny, racism, xenophobia. --- Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli (…
3 hr 10 min
05: In which Forrest Gump is revealed as the Hegelian World-Soul (V. Chs. 8-9)
In this episode, we yo-yo from bohemian banality to colonialist atrocity. Awful house parties occur amidst both. Next time, V. Chs. 10-11. Show Notes: Archive.org “Report on the natives of South-west Africa and their treatment by Germany,”via the South-West Africa. Administrator’s Office Al Jazeera “How to pay for genocide: Namibian victims of German colonialism want a say,” by Shola Lawal Content warnings: strong language, physical and sexual violence, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, genocide. --- Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick…
2 hr 42 min
04: In which appear a bodacious cowboy, a Babylon sister, and several gentleman losers (V. Ch. 7)
In this episode, we get our teeth checked for ego, encounter the Situation, and finally chat for a bit about Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (spoilers for the film after 2:24:00). Next time, V. Chs. 8-9 Show Notes: “Gaucho,” by Steely Dan Mother Country Radicals: A Family History of the Weather Underground Content warnings: strong language, physical and sexual violence, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, fatphobia. --- Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli ( www.patf.io and @patfio.bsky.social ). Our theme music is…
S1 · E3 · 2 hr 36 min
03: In which Andrew uncovers a conspiracy and North Carolina is mentioned (V. Chs. 5-6)
In this episode, we head underground and somehow spend a long time talking about Dr. Seuss books, the musical Grease, and the modern classic (?) John Cena movie Ricky Stanicky . Next time: V. Ch. 7 Show Notes: Reddit: The Zug Under The Rug From There's A Wocket In My Pocket is now The Vug Under The Rug. The New York Times: 5 IN QUEENS GUILTY IN SEWER SCANDAL; CASE RAN 202 DAYS; 5 Guilty in Queens Sewer Case; 202-Day Trial Believed Record Clemente and Son Convicted With 3 Borough Employes on Laurelton Project ONE ENGINEER CLEARED 3 Could Be Fined $800,000 Each--Two-Mile Sewer Had to Be…
2 hr 47 min
02: In which the Pynchon Pals never resolve how to pronounce “Porpentine” (V. Chs. 3-4)
In this second ever episode, we learn about imperialist territorial disputes, nineteenth century travel guides, and layered Biblical allusions, while making intertextual comparisons to children’s cartoons and reality television. Next time: V. Chs. 5-6 Show Notes: Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli ( www.patf.io and @patfio.bsky.social ). Our theme music is “Horology,” by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives license on the album Polygondwanaland . Follow us…
2 hr 48 min
01: In which the Pynchon Pals propose a cookbook (V. Chs. 1-2)
In this inaugural episode, we meet the Whole Sick Crew, who would have a podcast in 2025. Next time: V. Chs. 3-4 Show Notes: Featuring Patrick Fiorilli, Andrew Tillett, and Duri Long. Produced and edited by Patrick Fiorilli ( www.patf.io and @patfio.bsky.social ). Our theme music is “Horology,” by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives license on the album Polygondwanaland . Vulture : "On the Thomas Pynchon Trail: From the Long Island of His Boyhood to the ‘Yupper West Side’ of His New Novel" by Boris Kachka Content warnings: strong…

About Pynchon Pals

Pynchon Pals is a English arts & books podcast from Pynchon Pals. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Pynchon Pals
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
Typical length: 2 hr 48 min
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1841789000

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