>>>I think Foucault's Pendulum was the forerunner. It was written in 1988.
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>>I've read it a couple times. It's not an easy read. The vocabulary is a bit beyond my everyday use and I have a hard time understanding some of the cultural differences from what I know. Overall, I like it, but it's almost like reading Faulkner.
>
>It's all the names, histories, cross indices etc that makes it hard for me. I can't keep all of it straight.
>
>The only book I've ever read that was more difficult than that was Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon, but I truly did love that one. I read it twice, but I don't think I have the fortitude to read it a third time - regardless that it needs it.

"One of the Longest, Most Difficult, Most Ambitious Novels in Years" at this review: http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/05/18/reviews/pynchon-rainbow.html

They mention Faulkner and Mellville as examples of what it's like... Sounds like a breeze! :-) Is it really worth it? I don't mind taking the road less traveled, but I want there to be something at the end of the rainbow. Pun intended...