Why I Believed That Dumb Thomas-Pynchon-Is-Dead Hoax

Scott Timberg: “A sudden, unexplained announcement of just about anything involving Pynchon makes more sense than the equivalent involving almost any other writer. The most obvious reason is because Pynchon is a recluse: The details of his life are better known today … but for a long time, even Pynchon zealots were not quite sure where he was. … The Internet’s combination of mystery and conspiratorial nonsense makes it the perfect vehicle for puzzling news about the writer.”