56 pages • 1 hour read
The Crying of Lot 49
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
152
Novel • Fiction
California • 1960s
1966
Adult
18+ years
1060L
Super Short Summary
In The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon, Oedipa Maas uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy involving rival mail-delivery firms while serving as the executor of her ex-boyfriend's estate, leading her on a surreal investigation through 1960s California counterculture. The novel discusses individuals with addiction, substance use, mental health issues, and suicide.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Contemplative
Dark
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
91,259 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 intrigues with its complex narrative and rich symbolism, earning praise for its innovative storytelling and capturing mid-20th-century paranoia. However, some find its dense plotting and elusive meaning frustrating. The novel's brevity offers an accessible entry into Pynchon's work.
Who Should Read The Crying of Lot 49?
Readers who enjoy The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon typically appreciate complex, postmodern narratives with elements of conspiracy and satire. Fans of Pynchon's work often also enjoy books like Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon and Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. These readers relish intricate plotting and deep, thought-provoking themes.
91,259 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Pierce Inverarity
Pierce Inverarity
A deceased California real estate mogul whose will launches Oedipa into her journey; he is a pervasive but elusive figure whose past relationship with Oedipa drives the plot forward.
Metzger
Metzger
A charming lawyer and former child actor introduced to assist Oedipa with the execution of Pierce’s estate, who engages with Oedipa in a brief, superficial romantic dalliance.
Dr. Hilarius
Dr. Hilarius
Oedipa's eccentric therapist who eventually reveals his disturbing past, providing another layer to the novel's exploration of truth and perception.
152
Novel • Fiction
California • 1960s
1966
Adult
18+ years
1060L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.