Pynchon Pals
Episodes
16: In which Crest the savior is born (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.14-1.16)
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 co...
15: In which a real live rocket launches (Gravity’s Rainbow Episodes 1.8-1.13)
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Discussions of Pavlov bookend interdepartmental conspiracy and pseudo-domesticity. Meanwhile Slothrop, like Benny Profane and Herbert Stencil before h...
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)
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
13: In which we wonder, what if this book was, like, six times as long? (The Crying of Lot 49 Ch. 6)
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
12: “In which the Pynchon Pals retell Platonic dialogues and Porky Pig cartoons” (The Crying of Lot 49 Chs. 4-5)
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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… Nex...
11. In which the Pynchon Pals, unseen, do a little dance (The Crying of Lot 49 Chs. 1-3)
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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, a...
10: In which a ludicrously high budget is needed to produce the V. adaptation of our dreams (V. Q+A)
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 patr...
09: In which the verdict on V. is, at long last, delivered (V. Epilogue and Wrapup)
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
08: In which Thomas Pynchon, like his cousin Taylor Swift, reflects on love (V. Chs. 14-16)
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 af...
07: In which a solid option for a V.-themed tattoo emerges (V. Chs. 12-13)
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays from Pynchon Pals! In this episode, we stick with the Whole Sick Crew through their ups, their downs, their subsequent downs, their—w...
06: In which the phrase, “history is like a sine wave,” like a sine wave, recurs (V. Chs. 10-11)
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we flop around with the Whole Sick Crew, then flip over to the metaphysical hellscape of besieged Malta, before finally deconstructin...
05: In which Forrest Gump is revealed as the Hegelian World-Soul (V. Chs. 8-9)
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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:...
04: In which appear a bodacious cowboy, a Babylon sister, and several gentleman losers (V. Ch. 7)
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Aft...
03: In which Andrew uncovers a conspiracy and North Carolina is mentioned (V. Chs. 5-6)
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
02: In which the Pynchon Pals never resolve how to pronounce “Porpentine” (V. Chs. 3-4)
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this second ever episode, we learn about imperialist territorial disputes, nineteenth century travel guides, and layered Biblical allusions, while ...
01: In which the Pynchon Pals propose a cookbook (V. Chs. 1-2)
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inaugural episode, we meet the Whole Sick Crew, who would have a podcast in 2025.Next time: V. Chs. 3-4Show Notes: Featuring Patrick Fiorilli,...