Book review: Inherent Vice

by Thomas Pynchon

LOS ANGELES in 1970 is a world of flower power in terminal wilt. Charles Manson is awaiting trial and the ‘summer of love’ has broken hearts. Private investigator, Doc Sportello, a leftover hippie with a fondness for the best highs, gets a visit from his ex-girlfriend, Shasta.

Her latest flame, a property development mogul, Mickey Wolfmann, is being played by his wife and her lover, who want to commit him to an asylum. But Mickey is protected by Aryan brotherhood bikers.