Inherent Vice

Thomas Pynchon published Inherent Vice in 2009. Set in 1970s California, the story follows private detective Larry "Doc" Sportello as he becomes caught up in a complex and psychedelic web of mystery, conspiracy, and counter-cultural chaos.

The novel unfolds in the made-up Gordita Beach, where Doc leads an easy and mostly aimless existence. When Doc's former girlfriend Shasta Fay Hepworth shows up one day seeking help, his life takes an unexpected turn. She knows of a plot to kidnap her new lover and the conspirators want her help. Wealthy real estate mogul Mickey Wolfmann is Shasta's new lover.

As Doc delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of odd characters. They include a corrupt cop named "Bigfoot" Bjornsen, a sax-playing assassin, a drug-addled dentist, and members of various counter-cultural groups. The lines between reality and illusion blur as Doc navigates a hazy world of drug-fueled parties, paranoia, and strange encounters.

Pynchon fills Inherent Vice with complicated plot twists, dark humor, and an exploration of the cultural and political climate of the 1970s. The novel touches on themes of government surveillance, the decline of counterculture, the intrusion of corporate interests, and the fading idealism of the era.

Through Doc's wandering investigations, Pynchon crafts a multi-layered and complex narrative that defies easy categorization. Colorful characters, absurd situations, and the underlying sense of unease and uncertainty permeate the narrative.