IJ Discussion: Part VII

[Justin]

This thread is for discussion of Infinite Jest from pages 755 - 876 or roughly 75 - 88% of the electronic version.

[Matthew, Assistant List Master]

Just realized I am in this section now! I think some of my last posts in the last string should have been in this one. The interesting thing I am encountering now is entire sections of the book that are in the footnotes instead. They look like regular chapters and they are marked by a number by itself between two chapters. I cannot tell why Wallace didn't just leave them in the regular text.

[Jeff]

He used then to break up the main narrative. Simply to mess with the structure. Remember, I think I said in a other thread that his original manuscript was 2200 pages....so he and his editor got creative.

[Matthew, Assistant List Master]

So, when I ask why, the answer is pretty much why not? ;)

[Jeff]

Indeed. It's really genius if u think about it. Things that could just be added to the main narrative made into a footnote. It saddens me to think that The Pale King is the last novel of his....

[Matthew, Assistant List Master]

I enjoyed Hal's accidental attendance at the inner infant meeting when looking for the Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I am thinking maybe fate brought him there.

[Jeff]

That's a great scene. Of course I could say that about every page. I gotta ask....are you enjoying this?

[Matthew, Assistant List Master]

I is a bit if a challenge, but I am enjoying it. It is just so different and so complex.

[Matthew, Assistant List Master]

Reading about Gately's recovery in the hospital and his dreams of the Wraith. I now have a good image of Gately as he says he looks like Norm on "Cheers!"

[Matthew, Assistant List Master]

Just switched to first person for what I believe is the first time in the whole book. Only took 860 pages!