Infinite Jest "Year of Gold" pages 3-198 - SPOILER ALERT

[Debra]

Put your comments regarding pages 3-198 here. SPOILER ALERT!

[Jim]

I started reading last night and made it to page 10. Wallace is a VERY intense writer. His detailed observations are amazing. Looking forward to this read.

[Debra]

Good news, Jim. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ava Catherine]

Oh, I have got to get my book. I am behind! Sorry! Yikes!

[Debra]

No rush. We have 4 months!

[Ava Catherine]

That is good! Whew! I have ordered a used copy, which should arrive in a week or so. I don't think the library would want me to keep their copy for such an extended time. ; )
I am excited about reading a new book with this group!

[Brian]

The silence is deafening here. Is it that hard to make sense of this book? I was going to start reading this week ... any thoughts?

[Janice]

I haven't started it yet. I have too much going on right now.

[Tracy]

I have started it but find I need just the right mood to absorb it, I am not giving up yet though, I plan to pick it up again after I finish my current read with another group.

[Debra]

Wallace is definitely verbose. I've only just got started and read maybe 20 pages. I've read about Hal who seems to have some cognitive problems, although he is very smart. And can't remember the name of the marijuana addict at the moment. He certainly has a big monkey on his back. Lots of words, but I'm not turned off. I will be reading this book in starts and stops as I fit in other books and try to pace myself.

Sorry it's been so quiet around here; I've been involved in a challenge and dealing with health issues.

[Tom]

I did manage to ILL a copy of Infinite Jest. If I decide to stick with it [and hopefully I will], I'll have to locate a copy to purchase. Like a fellow poster said, I don't think my Library would appreciate me keeping this out on loan for such a long time. I admit that I am intimidated not only by the size of this work - being quite used to weighty tomes - but by what I've read of it here; that it is an intense, difficult read. I am not often put off by such observations, usually quite the opposite. Having read a suggestion that Hamlet be re-read in preparation for tackling Wallace's work, I did accomplish that.

[Jim]

I've been hesitant to write this comment, but hopefully you'll all find this helpful in some way.

Infinite Jest is a difficult book. It is a post-postmodern masterpiece that in many ways subverts the more mainstream storytelling style of Stephen King, Dan Brown, or Robert Ludlum. IJ isn't meant to entertain in the way that many books do, whether they are sci-fi, thrillers, or crime dramas. Instead, IJ is in many ways a philosophical commentary on contemporary American culture. In both theme and formal structure, Wallace is exploring the edges of fiction and philosophy. His aim is to contribute to "The Great Conversation" of Homer, Dante, James Joyce, and hundreds of other classical writers and philosophers.

I mention all of this because in looking at the bookshelf for the group, as well as thinking about King's work, it occurred to me that IJ might not be the kind of book you would normally choose to read. Many people, including myself, find IJ to be a challenging book and so seek out additional reference materials. If you find it slow going, you could go to the wikipedia page for Wallace and for Infinite Jest. Both sites would include spoilers, but keep in mind that due to the complexity of the book, it won't really be too much of a problem.

Wallace: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Fo...

IJ: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite...

There are links at the bottom of the IJ wiki that will take you to a number of different fan sites for Wallace and IJ. There is a lot of information out there for Wallace and his work, so check it out!

Earlier this year I read a collection of his non-fiction writing called A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again. I laughed and cried my way through his work and have come to respect him as a writer, no matter how difficult his work can be.

Anyway, I thought I'd share these thoughts and ideas because even though IJ can be confusing, frustrating, and intimidating, if you persevere, I'm sure you will be happy you read this amazing book!

[Debra]

I think I'm going to buy a used copy from Amazon. Although, this is a big and daunting book, I didn't have any trouble getting through the first few pages I've read. I don't think it is going to be as hard as I thought, but it is probably going to take a while to read this one.

I forgot about the suggestion to read Hamlet, Tom. I may pick up a copy and do that.

[Debra]

Jim, thanks so much for your post. I think everyone will find it helpful. I hope we didn't bite off more than we can chew choosing this as a group read. I'm going to be getting back to the book in earnest in a week or so, and hope to get through the rest of the first 198 pages so I can make some half-way intelligent comments about it. I'm not much of an intellectual, so I hope I don't find it too challenging. We'll see.

Again, thanks for all the info!

[Tom]

Debra wrote: "I'm not much of an intellectual ..."

Having read your posts here . . . don't kid yourself Debra, you're more than you may think.

[Debra]

Awwww, thanks, Tom! You made my day.

[Ann]

Whew! I am glad I looked at the comments in this thread. I was intimidated by the need to have completed 198 pages of this book before peeking in here. (which I have not done, but wanted so badly to see how others were doing with the book...)
I appreciate your comments and links, Jim and I am going to check them out.
The idea as Debra suggests of getting a hard copy for this one seems a good idea too. I am not reading near as many print paper books once I realized that my issues with having just the right lighting to be able to read comfortably are not an issue with a Kindle, but skipping over to this one on the Kindle between reading other books isn't working.

[Tracy]

I have picked it up again and am so glad I did not give up on it. The first 100 pages or so were not easy for me but now I am enjoying it quite a lot. Not sure if the difference is the book or my mood but I'm glad I gave it another try. :)

[Debra]

Good to hear you guys haven't given up! I have my copy and will be starting it after 1/1/13. Can't believe it is almost the New Year!