Yeah, I shoudn't have paraphrased you by using the word "shit".
For the record, I find Pynchon very difficult to read, though I do like Umberto Eco. He can be a bit too "clever" sometimes though.
With regards to Ulysses' designation as the most important book of the 20th century, don't blame me but take it up with the general English literature academics.
I have to say that I like Faulkner and Steinbeck both, but they were no way as influential as Joyce.
Mr Mephisto