Posted by guillermo maynez
on 9/9/2011, 17:45:46, in reply to "Re: Wittgenstein's Mistress (spoilers)"
189.140.207.42
Well, guys, this little Mexican is feeling inclined to read not only "Wittgentstein's Mistress" (I wonder if I actually have to read Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophical oeuvre before attempting it), plus "Infinte Jest" and "Gravity's Rainbow". I know if you tell me I have to read those books I will, and it will be worth it.
--Previous Message--
: I read Infinite Jest last year. It is a bizarre mixture
: of gritty realism and absurd fantasy. There are
: several parallel narrative threads following loosely
: related characters. Chapters are devoted to the life
: of recovering addicts with detailed descriptions of
: Boston Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Then we follow
: the high-pressure life of kids at an academy for
: gifted tennis players. In the bigger picture,
: following the unification of Canada, the USA and
: Mexico, Quebec has been forced to accept territory
: ceded from New England because it is too polluted to
: be livable. In response, a shadowy group of legless
: separatists known as "Les Assassins des Fauteuils
: Rollents" (the Wheelchair Assassins) is hunting
: down the ultimate weapon, a film called "Infinite
: Jest," that is so enthralling it drains the very
: life out of anyone foolish enough to watch it.
:
: Like Finnegans Wake, Infinite Jest actually loops back
: to its own beginning. It's a remarkable book. Even the
: AA parts are surprisingly entertaining. I think anyone
: who liked Gravity's Rainbow would enjoy it, but it's
: quite long to be sure.
:
: --Previous Message--
: I've read A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again,
: a
: collection of essays. The title essay about being on
: a cruise ship and the essay about the Illinois State
: Fair are hilarious. Like most books of essays, it's
: uneven, but when it's good, it's very good indeed. I
: have not read Infinite Jest. The immense length is
: daunting even to me (lover of Pynchon, Proust, etc.).
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: --Previous Message--
: I saw the David Foster Wallace quote. Have you read
: any
: of his books? I have always wondered about Infinite
: Jest.
:
: Lale
:
: --Previous Message--
: Yes, it was my suggestion. I had read that David
: Foster
: Wallace called it "the high point of experimental
: fiction in this country," so naturally I wanted
: to read it and thought it would be a good choice for
: our group. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it, Lale.
: I liked it so much that it actually made my
: anniversary top ten list.
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: --Previous Message--
: --Previous Message--
: Who suggested this most extraordinary book to the
: group?
:
: The 2011 nominations thread seems to have disappeared,
: but I'm pretty sure it was Sterling.
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