You want to read this before you read Gravity’s Rainbow, in order to understand what you getting into. You will also refer back to it when you need a little guidance re: characters, organizations, or even vocabulary in Pynchon’s world. This book enhanced and aided (where needed), the reading of the postmodern classic.

necessary

For anyone wanting to enjoy Thomas Pynchon's masterpiece, GRavity's Rainbow, you may need a map to understand the great number of obscure references to many topics: the Brothers Grimm, rocket technology, occultism, war profiteering, plastics, etc. I have read GR three times and can attest to the usefulness of this book. It will be a key to one of the most wondrous reading experiences available.

blows. my. mind.