For some reason, I expect Thomas Pynchon to be so serious--but again, he made me laugh, several times. This novel is much more accessible than The Crying of Lot 49 (though even that contained a hilarious scene), and the main character, Doc, is very likeable, as are some of his pals. And the ending is happy for his friends, and optimistic about the future, too. I enjoyed the symbolism in that last scene.