THE BENZENE OUROBOROS

A busy artist named Zak Smith has done illustrations for each page of Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow (the one above is page 412). His work has intense peaks and deadly dull valleys just like the novel it illuminates.

Those fond of the crazed labyrinthian world of Pynchon will also want to read the new Bookforum featuring encomiums by the likes of Don DeLillo and George Saunders.