Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace discussion

Con McVeety wrote: "I think the level of difficulty depends on what other books the reader has read before, if a reader has read books by Saul Bellow, Don DeLillo, William Gaddis or Thomas Pynchon, then that reader sh..."

I've heard many ppl say that cos Wallace comes from the same school of writing.I haven't read those authors & yet barring the technical stuff/writing,I didn't face much problem & that's cos I've read stuff by Wallace.
So anyone coming to this book,having some exposure to DFW's writings will do just fine.

Les wrote: "I have become a complete convert in regard to the endnotes. If you skip them, you think they are unnecessary and a nuisance. The more you read them the more you see how integral they are. They are ..."

Does anyone else feel that some of the end-notes are not being told from an omniscient narrator's point of view? Does the identity of the narrator become apparent during the course of the novel?

I think that's very perceptive, Megha -- multiple narrators, multiple perpectives.

Megha wrote: "Les wrote: "I have become a complete convert in regard to the endnotes. If you skip them, you think they are unnecessary and a nuisance. The more you read them the more you see how integral they a..."

Shall I happily assume that you're reading IJ Megha?

Garima wrote: "Megha wrote: "Les wrote: "I have become a complete convert in regard to the endnotes. If you skip them, you think they are unnecessary and a nuisance. The more you read them the more you see how i..."

Yes, yes. I just started, I am around page 60 or so right now.
I hope I can I can keep up with the pace of the other group members.

Megha wrote: "Garima wrote: "Megha wrote: "Les wrote: "I have become a complete convert in regard to the endnotes. If you skip them, you think they are unnecessary and a nuisance. The more you read them the mor..."

That's great and you'll be joined with many others I reckon.

I read the pothead waiting for his pot part two times

Con McVeety wrote: "I read the pothead waiting for his pot part two times"

Yes, that was good.

The name 'Hugh G. Rection' (in James' filmography) reminded me of Bart Simpson's prank calls.

I think more than anything that Infinite Jest is David Foster Wallace's way of understanding and coping with a detached mordern world, it's masterfully written so far

Megha wrote: "Con McVeety wrote: "I read the pothead waiting for his pot part two times"

Yes, that was good.

The name 'Hugh G. Rection' (in James' filmography) reminded me of Bart Simpson's prank calls."

I was surpirsed how much I loved the filmography, nearly all the idea's for moview are better then what is mostly out there in real life

I may be the last person reading this section and commenting. :D
I am restarting IJ: started it early last year and petered out about 200 pages in. The story (what there seemed of it) intrigued me but there was so much disjointedness and detachment that I had a hard time engaging. This time round, though, I'm finding all sorts of "hints" and innuendos that I completely missed the first time around.
The story, while still disjointed to a point, has bits & pieces that tie it together. I'm loving it this time. It's slow reading, takes a lot of concentration, my book has notes in the margins and underlines (shock!). The footnotes are amazing, especially Footnote 24 (took me the better part of an evening to read through and ponder), which seems to tell an autobiographical account of James Incandenza & his family. Lots of betrayal and depression and isolation in that footnote.

Lots to think about and ponder in this section (all of these points could be red herrings):
- Avril (the Moms) is (??; maybe she isn't in the present anymore??) and always was promiscuous.
- James is so isolated (in terms of communication, at least) from his family that he thinks at one point that Hal is a mute.
- Avril is spiking Hal's breakfast with some super-duper steroid or vitamin or something
- a big betrayal happens in Year of the Tucks Medicated Pad, as shown by the name change of James' production company from Latrodectus Mactans Productions (Infinite Jest IV) to Poor Yorick Entertainment Unlimited (Let There Be Lite). The betrayal would have to be something bigger than an affair by Avril as she seems to have had many before this time. (My first recognized Hamlet reference! :D)
- lots of drugs (very detailed information on drugs. DFW sure knew a lot about drugs); lots of people involved with drugs.
- tennis is life and one plays against oneself. As Schtitt puts it "and then but so what's the difference between tennis and suicide, life and death, the game and its own end?"
- Orin is also isolated from the family. He made his isolation physical; James' isolation was internal.
- I like Mario. He seems the most real of the characters we've met so far.

Rachel, I'm trying for about 100 pages a week and started about the same time as you did. I'm hoping to be able to keep that pace when work starts tomorrow. I'm not sure about lugging this tome to work every day. Leaving it at home may slow me down a bit.

Petra wrote: "Rachel, I'm trying for about 100 pages a week and started about the same time as you did. I'm hoping to be able to keep that pace when work starts tomorrow. I'm not sure about lugging this tome to ..."

Barnes & Noble has the ebook on sale for $3.99 -- maybe you can read the book at home and the e-book on the go?

Hello, IJ Friends!

I just reached 8%. Woot-woot! :) Endnote #24. Wow. That was hilarious.

At this point, what do people think of Hal's condition? Was James imagining it while he was alive? (Please no spoilers if you already know the answer.)

And, what about the attaché? I'm assuming the video that made him wet himself was one of J.O.I's movies. Any thoughts?

Elle

Elle wrote: "Hello, IJ Friends!

I just reached 8%. Woot-woot! :) Endnote #24. Wow. That was hilarious.

At this point, what do people think of Hal's condition? Was James imagining it while he was alive? (Pl..." good thoughts.... keep reading... it gets better

Elle, I can't give any spoilers because I don't know this story at all.

I think endnote 24 was hilarious, too, and gave a general biography of Jame's marriage in some strange way. In that sense, it was also a really sad footnote.
I got the impression that the cassette may be Infinite Jest V or one of the other Infinite Jests; only because there are so many versions of it.

Hal's condition may be brought on by over-tennis and drugs? At this point (pg 130-ish), it seems that he was a super-bright, focussed kid.
There was a mention in the Professional Conversationalist chapter of Hal's breakfast cereal being spiked with steroids by the Moms. I made a note of that.
Maybe overly-tennised + Bob Hope + steroids = "SNAP"???

Sunny, thanks! I'm going to check that out. It may be the perfect solution.

@ Petra:"I may be the last person reading this section and commenting. :D"

See,you are not! The IJ read will go on till March & hopefully more & more readers will join in. Welcome aboard Petra & Elle!
What can I say- the more,the merrier!

I have come quite late to this party and have been ‘lurking’ around reading the suggestions, comments and following some of the links to aid me in my second attempt at IJ. As per someone's suggestion here, I went and read some of DFW’s essays and watched some interviews with him on YouTube.

I’m using the Audible audio-book (I know, cringe) which doesn't have the endnotes and so is universally rejected; however, it is my preferred way to ‘read’ these days. I am also following along with an ePub copy (so I can stop and read the notes when they occur or read them slightly ahead of where they occur) and am using the DFW wiki too, which I am generally scanning just before or after the section I'm in. Scanning the wiki has confirmed that I am understanding a good amount of DFW’s abbreviations, alterations and word usage and I am finding that I am depending on it less as I go along listening. (No wonder I am liking DFW’s writing style, as I am obviously a fan of long, complex sentences, and further asides or amplification in my own style of writing – lol).

I’m at the beginning of the 5th ‘chapter’: YDAU. So far this is working very well for me and I’m really enjoying Hal’s intense, stream of consciousness, and anxiety this time around and have found my way into DFW’s IJ at last.

I am loving DFW’s alternately serious and absurdest tones in this future ONAN, where even the years have been commandeered by the corporations. Hal’s extensive, and often paranoid and anxious, inner monologues seem easy to slip into and make me feel like I’m living there along with him and I don’t mind visiting but wouldn’t-want-to-live-there; though in a way I feel like we do. IJ feels like both a horrible future and a just-around-the-corner of the world we inhabit now.

Thank you for admitting me late to this group. It has really helped me to take another stab at this great book.

More later.

I am also late to the party, although I had started reading IJ myself in late January, then found the group here.

I have been using the guide Elegant Complexity in tandem with the book, just in case I fail to grasp some of the minor details (especially the ebonics sections). It also helps to draw out some of the recurrent themes, and suggests how successive sections are related, even though they appear not to be. It also does NOT let spoilers slip.

I am reading on Kindle, (and on Nook, which I leave where I work). So far so good! Glad to be part of the group as well.

And I am also coming into this book having read nothing by DeLillo, Pynchon, or previous DFW. This is actually my first exposure to PoMo writing, but I have been thoroughly enjoying it so far (maybe due to the fact that I am a notorious non-linear thinker myself)

I would encourage all you "late comers" to continue on... I am on my third time through, and trust me you will see the connections... Even more on second and third readings. If they all finish, ill still be here... Its my favirite all time book, and made me a total DFW fan!

Elle wrote: "Hello, IJ Friends!

I just reached 8%. Woot-woot! :) Endnote #24. Wow. That was hilarious.

At this point, what do people think of Hal's condition? Was James imagining it while he was alive? (Pl..."

Keel going is all I will say!

I would encourage all you "late comers" to continue on... I am on my third time through, and trust me you will see the connections... Even more on second and third readings. If they all finish, ill still be here... Its my favirite all time book, and made me a total DFW fan!

Elle wrote: "Hello, IJ Friends!

I just reached 8%. Woot-woot! :) Endnote #24. Wow. That was hilarious.

At this point, what do people think of Hal's condition? Was James imagining it while he was alive? (Pl..."

Keel going is all I will say!

Yes, do continue.... I am now on my first reading at page 260, and the connections start being made, a little at a time... still a long ride ahead though, but I am really looking forward to it

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Jason wrote: "I agree. The endnotes really seem like they are meant to be part of the text. I wouldn't advise skipping them, either. "

Endnotes are absolutely and unconditionally necessary. Dave ..."

Nathan, what a pleasant surprise to see her here as well as the W&M group!

Anyway, I just wanted to second this post. I still haven't attempted IJ, but the plan is to get a copy and get started soon. I think my wholehearted agreement of said post says a lot, having not read it before. It's kind of odd, but as I was reading your words, this calming affect overcame me and I just knew that what you said is spot-on, exactly how DFW intended his masterpiece to be read. It promises to be an experience like no other!!

Nathan's probably just numbing your brain with his comments. That's the "calm" you feel.

:)

Garima wrote: "Jim wrote: "Garima wrote: "If this will be of any help Mala:

He explained that endnotes “allow . . . .."

Where is the quote from?

He certainly got #2 correct and #4 is a reason to read the book ..."

Wow, this is great stuff! Thank you so much, Garima! Very sad, but incredibly profound.

Rayroy wrote: "I think the level of difficulty depends on what other books the reader has read before, if a reader has read books by Saul Bellow, Don DeLillo, William Gaddis or Thomas Pynchon, then that reader sh..."

I love DeLillo's work!!

Megha wrote: "Con McVeety wrote: "I read the pothead waiting for his pot part two times"

Yes, that was good.

The name 'Hugh G. Rection' (in James' filmography) reminded me of Bart Simpson's prank calls."

ROFL

Petra wrote: "I may be the last person reading this section and commenting. :D
I am restarting IJ: started it early last year and petered out about 200 pages in. The story (what there seemed of it) intrigued me ..."

Nope, you're not the last, Petra!
(I'm so happy to see your post!)


Wow, very insightful and observant! These characters sounds like they could be a kick in the pants!

Also, I think that IJ is intentionally disjointed and almost out of context with the rest. Isn't that Wallace's point??

Jason wrote: "Nathan's probably just numbing your brain with his comments. That's the "calm" you feel.

:)"

Hey, Jason!

It's so great to be here, I'm looking forward to experiencing IJ at long last!!

Garima wrote: "Jim wrote: "Garima wrote: "If this will be of any help Mala:

He explained that endnotes “allow . . . .."

Where is the quote from?

He certainly got #2 correct and #4 is a reason to read the book ..."

Garima- I read this incredibly long article just yesterday and simply had to thank you very much for sharing! I found it deeply moving, insightful, and saddening, or course. I wasn't expecting it to so extensive!!

:) :)

Dustin wrote: "Garima- I read this incredibly long article just yesterday and simply had to thank you very much for sharing! I found it deeply moving, insightful, and saddening, or course. I wasn't expecting it to so extensive!!"

You're Welcome, Dustin. :)

Garima wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Garima- I read this incredibly long article just yesterday and simply had to thank you very much for sharing! I found it deeply moving, insightful, and saddening, or course. I wasn't..."

Merely thanking you truly isn't enough. I'm blown away by the article, in fact I'm still thinking about it two days after I read it! I've recommended it HIGHLY to other IJ fanatics, as well!!

Petra wrote: "I may be the last person reading this section and commenting. :D
I am restarting IJ: started it early last year and petered out about 200 pages in. The story (what there seemed of it) intrigued me ..."

Hi Petra - I am currently reading Infinite Jest with the Chunksters Group (although I started a couple of months behind them) and Dustin mentioned this group so I thought I'd hop over and check it out.

I've read through everyone's comments for the first section; you seem to be the only one actually discussing the book itself though and your comments are great. Very interesting. I missed the transition of names in the filmography and how it could possibly apply to dramatic outside events. Also your musings on isolation and the conversation between Hal and Himself. Very very thought provocking.

You've obviously finished it and loved it. I'm only about 300 pages through but I've already decided it's an all time favourite that I will read and re read until my copy falls to pieces on me.

Hey there, it's wonderful to see you here, as well as Chunksters, Nicola!:) I'm glad you checked it out.


Excellent point regarding the transition of names in footnote #24, and how J.O. Incandenza's personal life mirrored some of his acting roles. Especially telling, IMO, is the one where (view spoiler)[Himself poses as a 'professional conversationalist,' as seen in The Year of Glad, in order to communicate with Hal. (hide spoiler)]


I'm still enjoying it.:)

Hi Dustin :-)

If you like the discussion aspect of the groups I really recommend the Chunksters group - there is a lot of talk about the content of the book itself. I found it incredibly illuminating. I am still behind of course but I read the assigned section and then put down my thoughts before reading everyone else’s (old) comments and then add my thoughts to those as well. Some of the readers have been interested enough to come back and chat for a bit as well.

As with most of these books there seems to have been a large drop off in readers past the first few weeks :-(

Hey!

Thank you, I've been meaning to check out Chunksters old threads, as I'm interested in what everyone else had to say, and to discuss it, of course.


I won't be abandoning it, that's for sure.:)