"I've had a tough time with Pynchon. I liked him very much when I first read him. I liked him less with each book. He got denser and more complex in a way that didn't really pay off"

This quote by Leslie Fiedler speaks to the trouble of reading Thomas Pynchon's works. Fiedler initially enjoyed Pynchon's writing, but as he learnt more of his works, he found them to be significantly thick and complex. This intricacy did not seem to be rewarded with a satisfying payoff, leaving Fiedler feeling disappointed. This quote talks to the obstacle of reading Pynchon's works, as they require a good deal of effort to comprehend and appreciate. It likewise talks to the idea that intricacy does not constantly lead to a satisfying conclusion, and that sometimes the most rewarding works are those that are more straightforward and available. Ultimately, this quote works as a pointer that reading can be a tough and sometimes unrewarding experience, but that it can also be exceptionally rewarding when the right work is chosen.