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

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

Proustitute wrote: "Happy to be here! What a wonderful group read. It will be my first trek through IJ.

My only worry is keeping up with DFW while convening the Proust group. Hopefully accountability here will help."

Welcome - I'm so glad you're here! We're committed to making sure members can belong to both groups and still maintain (at least some) sanity. Whenever you have the schedule set for Proust (no rush on that at all), we'll put together the IJ schedule with start dates in December and/or January, and make sure the schedules work together. We have plenty of IJ veterans here to lend their expertise on scheduling and threads, so I think all will be well.

And thanks for undertaking the huge Proust read. The caliber of discussion is impressive already, and we haven't even started reading yet! I've been ordering auxiliary readings and listening to playlists.

Ali wrote: "Oh, yeah. I think so too. I've said before on another review that it seems as if when talking about IJ, a lot of readers get so caught up in the length and the unconventional structure that the act..."

I love the idea of a spoof review. I wonder how many people would realize it is a spoof, though? :)

Stephen M wrote: "I never meant to dismiss difficulty. I just wanted to dispel anticipatory anxiety because after all, all books are just words. Now certainly there are books that are extraordinarily difficult. But ..."

There's the actual time and effort and critical engagement that it takes to read and understand a challenging work, and then there's the myth that grows up around it, which often keeps some readers away, or intimidates them to the point that, even if they do read the book, they do so without leaving space to have their own reactions (what is the right response to this etc.) I thought that was what you were getting to with your comment, Stephen - and I think it's good to keep that in mind.

Ali wrote: "MJ wrote: "I've decided not to read the endnotes upon my re-read. I'm happy to be whipped for my negligence, but they added nothing to the book for me."

I've thought about doing the same thing. I'..."

I can see its being an interesting experience to re-read at some time without the endnotes -- I'm wondering how it would affect your experience reading IJ.

Since this is my first time through and I'm obsessed with endnotes and footnotes (geeky historian alert), I'm definitely reading them -- but I have an e-version and a paperback, so I think I can negotiate the balancing act others have described.

Moira wrote: "Kris wrote: "OK, I have edited my first comment with lots of bold text, so people who haven't read IJ yet will see it and back up before they hit any spoilers."

Oh, thank you. Duh, maybe I should ..."

I think you should feel free to have unfettered spoiler-ridden conversation in that thread with no use of spoiler tags. We just have a bit of a Bluebeard's wife situation going in here atm. :)

Garima wrote: "Mary wrote:I'm a glutton for punishment. I poked my nose in that thread and the first thing I saw was "who thinks so-and-so died in the the end?" eeeek! Reverse. I need to stay outta there!

+1 :(((("

OK, I have edited my first comment with lots of bold text, so people who haven't read IJ yet will see it and back up before they hit any spoilers.

Marieke wrote: "I'm going to miss reading the posts with spoilers. Only because the spoiler tag made a bleeeep noise in my head. It was very funny to read the posts that way.

(the spoiler thread will make things ..."

This cracked me up.

Moira wrote: " I poked my nose in that thread and the first thing I saw was "who thinks so-and-so died in the the end?" eeeek! Reverse. I need to stay outta there!

OH DEAR. I'm sorry, did I ruin it for you??"

Don't worry, Moira - you were using the spoiler thread just as it was intended to be used!

I just changed the title - here's the spoiler thread: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

Moira wrote: "Hunh, maybe Stephen M and I could move transfer of our more book-specific posts over here. Except we've both read it -- I forget, is there going to be a spoiler/non spoiler post division? I'd reall..."

I just created a spoiler discussion thread. This will all get easier once we start reading and have location-specific threads posted, but since that's a long way off, I think a spoiler thread is a good way to go. We can all catch up with all those discussions once the rest of us have finished IJ.

I just created a spoiler discussion thread, so anyone who has already read all of Infinite Jest should feel free to engage in spoiler-filled discussions there to your heart's content!

This thread is for group members who have already read all of Infinite Jest, who want to engage in discussion of the novel with spoilers.

Warning - there are spoilers below. If you haven't read Infinite Jest yet treat this thread as if it were the end of the world as depicted on medieval maps - there are monsters ahead. Being able to read this thread will be a reward for completing Infinite Jest.

Christine wrote: "Happy to join you.

Here's a little something from my favorite public radio station:

http://www.kcrw.com/etc/david-foster-..."

Thanks Christine! It's great to have you with us!

Stephen M wrote: ""

Puns = great

Puns + dogs wearing glasses and reading a book = priceless

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Moira wrote: "Well, IJ has no pirates. Or at least I don't remember it having pirates. Are there pirates?"

It ain't got swords either. Or does it? If you need swords, A Naked Singularity's got s..."

If it doesn't have swords or pirates literally, is there any way we could add them in symbolically? A new maritime interpretive frame?

Stephen M wrote: "Kris wrote: "I hereby announce that general chit-chat is general. Please feel free to comment on anything at all."

"

Ha!

When I wrote that, I felt like I was channeling a Monty Python skit.

Moira wrote: "Stephen M wrote: "Didn't mean to cause a stir, my comment was only in jest.
Let us not get too serious lest we forget the value of entertainment."

HAH

....http://dfan.org/jest.txt picks up the Ha..."

Excellent - I love nothing more than some good references. :)

I hereby announce that general chit-chat is general. Please feel free to comment on anything at all.

Moira wrote: "Well, whether or not he meant to be critical with the "pointless" comment, this is really personal and attacking me:

Off-topic is just logically true since we haven't exactly been discussing IJ or..."

I can see that, Moira, and I'm sorry - I should have referenced that comment in my last message as well.

Group rule -- to be added to the rules for the discussion group - no personal comments criticizing other group members. Discussion needs to be respectful. You can disagree with others' interpretations, but no personal attacks.

I'll message you separately, Moira. I'm sorry about this.

Stephen M wrote: "Didn't mean to cause a stir, my comment was only in jest.

Let us not get to serious lest we forget the value of entertainment.

Sometimes I feel like certain comments can get quite addicting. They..."

Well done!

OK, time out on the discussion of pointless and off-topic. (moderator mode on!)

This is a general thread, and the group read is quite a way off. I think we can combine humor and focused conversation in this group, and participating should be fun (dammit!), not a chore for anyone.

Since this is a general thread, I think it's hard to be off-topic on it, especially given the fact that we are still in prep mode for the IJ discussion.

Ali, you've stated that you didn't mean anything critical by your comment. I take you at your word. A number of people have gone on the record saying that they like the tenor of the conversation here, and Mary and I are trying to preserve this thread as a space for general conversation among group members.

I'm hoping everyone continues to make this atmosphere fun and welcoming for everyone - I've loved the tenor of conversation so far, and it's so good to see that many people who have never read IJ before are comfortable being here.

OK, moderator mode off - let the general merriment continue.