Kris’s Comments (group member since Aug 06, 2012)

Kris’s comments from the Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace group.

This thread is for discussion of pgs. 601-682 in Infinite Jest. Page 682 → Kindle location 16,280 (63%)

This thread is for discussion of pgs. 682-755 in Infinite Jest. Page 755 → Kindle location 18,022 (70%)

This thread is for discussion of pgs. 755-827 in Infinite Jest. Page 827 → Kindle location 19,741 (77%)

This thread is for discussion of pgs. 827-902 in Infinite Jest. Page 902 → Kindle location 21,532 (84%)

This thread is for discussion of pgs. 902-981 in Infinite Jest. Page 981 → Kindle location 23,418 (91%)

Jerry wrote: "Sounds real good.... ummmmm have you read IJ yet? JUST CURIOUS"

Nope -- which is why I'm flying blind with the discussion threads. :)

I think you have great suggestions, Jerry, and if you are willing to set up threads I'd love the help!

I think we may need to set up some new folders to keep the discussions easier to navigate. As I look at the discussion thread suggestion you have above, I cam imagine the following folders to keep threads organized: Discussions of Characters; Discussions of Themes; Discussions of Organizations. I think we need to have spoiler warnings up on those threads. And I can develop a folder for Discussions by section, with different threads for different page ranges. How does that sound?

Jason, it's too bad I finished all my grading, or I could have sent you to some papers to grade to keep you occupied. :)

Jason wrote: "No worries, Kris. I'm just being my usual pain-in-the-ass self. =)"

You crack me up, you and your gourd. :)

Jason wrote: "SOMEONE HELP KRIS MAKE US SOME THREADS! SOME DELICIOUS, DECADENT THREADS!"

I'll make them when I get home from work -- I promise. :)

I'm sitting in a corner now, suitably chastened.....

Jason wrote: "I think just having threads set up would be a huge help. I think that was mostly my concern...I want to be ready to talk about it but don't know where."

Yep -- sorry -- I'm a bad moderator and am lagging behind. :(

Jerry wrote: "So I guess here is my question... If I want to start in December, I need to know the official schedule for that.. I am excited to be part of this group, and can't wait to get started again. I love..."

Jerry, you may want to follow schedule number 1 above (see post #1 on this thread) -- that's the one I am following, and I think that the sections will make sense for the discussion threads.

Jason wrote: "Kris, is there an official reading schedule? If so, maybe you could freeze it with an asterisk so it's at the top of the folder? For other reading groups, we've had a defined # of pages per week. A..."

There is a lot of variation in the pace at which people are planning to read, so I think one official schedule is going to be difficult -- I'm worried that some people will be scared away if it is too fast for them, and others may be concerned if they are opting for a different start date. I don't want it to get too chaotic, but I know for TM&M we didn't have an official schedule -- we just had discussion threads set up by section and people read at their own pace.

I'm willing eager to take suggestions from you and other group members if you think there's a better way to handle it.

I'm planning to set up the discussion threads by section this week. The main concern I have with that is that I haven't read IJ before, so I simply flipped through the book to try to find breaks where we could stop according to a certain number of pages per week. This means the breaks I found could make very little sense! If any veterans are willing to consult with me on page breaks that make sense for discussion sections, please let me know -- I could use the help! :)

I'll be getting the discussion threads up in the next few days -- early, but in case anyone wants to get a head start on discussion, they can.

I'm definitely following one of the December schedules.

It's great to have you join us, Valerie!

There's a lot of variety in the schedules that will work for people, and we're a big enough group that I think everyone should follow whichever of the above schedules seems best. Mary, Madeleine, et. al, does that sound OK? We can put up discussion threads according to sections in IJ, so that you can participate in the appropriate thread whenever you are ready. Does this sound OK, or chaotic?

Marieke wrote: "yeah...i'm revisiting the NYer article Moira linked to. now i'm not so excited about that biography. but i am enjoying Moira's mad skillz reporting her findings (but still catching up on everything). i haven't had a chance to look at Nathan's review. perhaps for bio auxiliary, we can just discuss whatever. maybe someday in 50 years a worthwhile bio will come out. ."

I agree with you, Marieke. Moira, you deserve flowers and book gift cards and probably a weekend at a spa for reading the bio and writing those wonderful updates. I kept laughing while feeling awful about watching you undergo the torture.

I think this can be a thread about why NOT to read this biography....

Those of us who pre-ordered copies can rue our decision, too. That's always fun.

The reviews are starting to come in on this biography, and it is not looking good. See for example Nathan's review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... and Moira's review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Madeleine wrote: ""Say hello to my Little Friend..."
My knee-jerk reaction was "Wait, I don't remember clicking on the Moby-Dick dick-jokes thread....""

Laughing here. :)