The Crying of Lot 49

Pynchon's dense, layered writing creates a sense of paranoia and confusion. I'm curious whether this was planned from the start or evolved during the writing process.

The mystery feels almost secondary to the experience of deciphering symbols and signals. How did others interpret the significance of the underground postal system?

With social media and constant news cycles, the questions about truth and perception seem more relevant than ever. Did readers find it resonated with modern society?