This is the only time I've read Pynchon so far so I'm not really equipped to make any grand statements about him. I thought this was fine but something kept me from really connecting with this book. Pynchon is clearly very talented, there are a lot of drugs, and a tribute to stoners of the late 60s. Considering my love of noir, I figured this would have been the obvious choice for me to dive into Pynchon. But I don't think you're going to find yourself reading Pynchon for the plot. 
 I liked it but didn't love it. I am excited to see what Paul Thomas Anderson does with this, as he is one of my favorite filmmakers.