Episode 9: The Recognitions

[Aaron]

Our discussion of William Gaddis' "The Recognitions" has been uploaded today and is now available for listening. It's a bit of a stretch to call it "a discussion" since Rodney didn't get much out of this novel, but we did manage to find a good amount of conversation topics to keep the ball rolling.

I love this book, and would be curious to know if anyone else finished the novel.

To recap: "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Ann Brönte in December as well as a bonus episode discussing the life and works of science-fiction great Philip K. Dick. For January, we will be joined by our friend Kira for a discussion of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

[Debra]

I have to agree with Rodney on this one, though I do not have a profound hatred for this book. Gattis’ style contributes in that I found the dialogue hard to follow particularly with many random comments thrown in, along with the portions in foreign language that I didn’t understand. My bits and pieces of Spanish and French were completely in adequate to decipher the jokes. I read and reread chapters, got about halfway done, and then went back to listen to it on audible, and still could not connect. Admittedly, much of my audible time occurred while doing other things, so that may have figured in. I finally gave up in favor of Vonnegut.

Aaron is spot on with his assessment that this book is not for everyone! While I definitely engage with and enjoy many difficult texts, (Game of Thrones etc.) since my reading time is at a premium, I just don’t want to work that hard when I have a chance to sit down with a book! From time to time, I also enjoy some of those less complicated writers, Brown, King, Patterson, Hannah, etc.
Call me proud to wear the average reader badge!

I have to add I’m enjoying Vonnegut much more, and am excited to reread Gatsby in January!

[Rodney]

Maybe saying I hated this book is unfair. I honestly don’t know if I would have finished it if not for the podcast. I’m back on to the poppy war

[Debra]

I thought that trilogy looked intriguing and have added it to my pile. I found Yellowface on sale on Kindle last night and collected it right away!

[Rodney]

I haven’t read that one yet. Hope to soon though. I’ve also been listening to the Frank Herbert biography by Brian Herbert. I read it a couple years ago, but it was on sale on audible

[Aaron]

My love for both Vonnegut and R. F. Kuang has no boundaries.

Which Vonnegut did you start with?

[Debra]

I took your recommendation and began with Sirens of Titan. I’m about halfway and find it interesting that many of his references really take the reader back to a time pre moon landing. I also appreciate that it’s a fairly quick read and not 900 pages long!

[Aaron]

I would really love to hear what you think of it when you're finished!

[Rodney]

Good news. I was able to return my copy of The Recognitions and I’m getting my money back.

[Tabitha]

🫣 I gave up. I tried to read it. I switched to audiobook. I just could not get into this book. I agree with Rodney that it’s primarily because the characters are blah. Maybe I’ll try the audiobook again in the future but I don’t know.

[Rodney]

I wouldn’t. Tenant of wildfell hall was good.