IJ is the only book I've read that's funnier (despite all of the soul-crushing sadness) than Confederacy of Dunces. After the first read through, you can literally pick it up and turn to any page and enjoy the non-stop jokes. I'm totally in for a full re-read.
God, I totally read the whole thing two summers ago. You haven't read it yet, Alison? Un-fucking-believable. And I was just starting to like you. I thought you were smart and stuff, but I guess if you haven't been able to get through Infinite Jest... well, lets just say you are no longer invited to my wine and cheese parties. Call me when you're done, though. Then we'll actually be able to have an intelligent, adult conversation.
God I hope that comes off as snobbish and effected as I wanted it to be. Otherwise I'm totally going to deserve all those dirty looks.
Once you get into it, you're gonna be reading way more than 75 pages a week.
If I hadn't just reread Infinite Jest last summer [rearranges monocle, disdainfully brushes lint off of tweed jacket], I'd totally do this. That book is nothing short of amazing.
"IJ is the only book I've read that's funnier (despite all of the soul-crushing sadness) than Confederacy of Dunces."
Hmmm that is purty high praise as I consider "Dunces" the funniest book ever. I shall read your "Jest" and register my thorough opinion on your plebeian "internets"
We should totally have a blogtown sub-reading-club for this (and put the merc's robo-spam-decimated forums back to work). I don't trust most jerks on the internet to discuss anything potentially "high brow," but I trust you jerks on the internet.
I'm reading this right now! I started it in January...
I got 200 pages in, then took a class that required a lot of other reading. And now I'm plowing through it again (aka, like 3-5 pages a day, at most). I'm nearly on page 300. I really like it, and I'm totally determined to finish it. Should we start a book club to talk about it as we read it???
Okay, we're gonna do it. Stick to the schedule on the infinite summer site, and I'll try to remember to post weekly open threads here so we can talk about it. Sound good? ROM, no spoilers.
I feel like I need to get a running start to actually crack Infinite Jest. I love DFW, and Confederacy of Dunces is in my top 5, so this thread may be the thing that finally gets the damn thing off my shelf and into my hands. I've said that about other things before. I'm not sure I've ever physically met anyone who has finished it, DFW-lover or no (we all know it's far more common to meet those who tried and failed).
Colin, I'd recommend GWCH as a warm up if you need one. Brief, multitudinous, and fun. Also, a good primer in how to deal with DFW influences/affectations. BotS is good (esp the ending, which blew my little highschool brain), but not perfect, and could put you off IJ unnecessarily.
God I hope that comes off as snobbish and effected as I wanted it to be. Otherwise I'm totally going to deserve all those dirty looks.
ahem: affected
I hope you're wearing your vest with the rainbows on it when we have our intelligent, adult conversation. :)
If I hadn't just reread Infinite Jest last summer [rearranges monocle, disdainfully brushes lint off of tweed jacket], I'd totally do this. That book is nothing short of amazing.
Hmmm that is purty high praise as I consider "Dunces" the funniest book ever. I shall read your "Jest" and register my thorough opinion on your plebeian "internets"
I got 200 pages in, then took a class that required a lot of other reading. And now I'm plowing through it again (aka, like 3-5 pages a day, at most). I'm nearly on page 300. I really like it, and I'm totally determined to finish it. Should we start a book club to talk about it as we read it???
If not then I'm OUT.
*slams door to bedroom and turns up Rush's Fly By Night super loud*
The only book I haven't been able to get through is DeLillo's "Underworld." God, that thing is dense. Blissfully poetic, but dense.
Okay, I'm calibrating my schedule.
(was that a spoiler, too??*)
*no
That was way to many acronyms.
Unfortunately I lent my copy of IJ out to a good friend who is slowly destroying the paperback as he reads. Wish I could join in the book club fun.