We gave up on Infinite Jest. Our last meeting related to the book will happen Thursday. Maybe some of us will read a few more pages. Maybe some of us won’t. I made it to page 300 something. I think. It’s been awhile.
Hi Alicia, thank you very much for the mention. What's this book club? I'm really pleased you gave up on Infinite Jest: I've started and stopped several times, and knowing I'm not alone in that is a great source of comfort, given that everyone says what a fantastic piece of work it is. I have to say, I have absolutely loved what I've read - I'm a huge fan of Foster Wallace -- but I've never got enough time to continue reading it before I forget what I've read, if you see what I mean. So my experience of Infinite Jest is a sort of literary Groundhog Day.
Lol "literary Groundhog Day" is such an apt metaphor! That's my experience of it, too. I do love his sentences and his inventiveness with words. There are passages that make me laugh out loud. But also some of the themes do feel repetitive. I would have loved to read Infinite Jest as a short story.
The whole theme of this book club is "books we want to say we have read but won't actually read unless anyone forces us to." Which made IJ the perfect candidate.
Indeed. I wonder if the world is filled with members of this book club. Whenever I'm in a literary group someone mentions Infinite Jest and everyone else nods sagely. I wonder how many have read it.
Jan 16, 2023·edited Jan 16, 2023Liked by Alicia Kenworthy
Alicia, I do have to say that life is not too short for David Foster Wallace, whose own life was indeed too short—but then I've read Ulysses by Joyce four times.So, go figure.
I love Terry's Substack and had already read his post that includes 'long ass' and a fab link to you, dear Alicia.
For short, fabulous books consider Colm Tóibín though not The Magician because it's long, though wondrous, and consider Julian Barnes--everything he writes is short and he is truly marvelous. I have a long list of favorite books and wish I could join your bookclub. xo ~ Mary
Aptly enough, this club read "Ulysses" just before I joined! I do appreciate DFW and feel somewhat bad for not finishing the book. Perhaps I'll just have to return to him at a better time. I have loved his shorter work though. I read "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" a few years back and adored it.
Thank you so much for the Colm Toibin and Julian Barnes suggestions! I'd actually never heard of either one.
You're about to fall in love with these writers. And, actually, you do probably know Colm Tóibín because the movie Brooklyn is based on his novel of that same title. xo ~Mary
Alicia, I love your writing and your sense of humour, and it seems like ages since you wrote anything, although I realise now that it's only two weeks. Please write something soon.
Tapping out around page 300 of 1079 could be graduation from entertainment addicts anonymous. Is the entirety of the book intended to read, or understand individual duration to the stop button? Such an awareness concept from the author would not surprise.
Entertainment is necessary to me as oxygen, and in my hometown of New Orleans there is more music to breathe than one could ask. I never thought with concern for addiction or negative impact until technology took a part. I always considered it healthy and social to spend 3-4 evenings a week attending live music, theater, artist receptions, or whatever to-do. I was born that way! To me, entertaining is a caring and loving.
I wish I had a book club around to enjoy! The social aspect is wonderful. When I find a read that keeps my attention like a good lover and I don’t leave my bed for the whole weekend aside from gathering coffee or fruit, and to bathe I know I’ve found a keeper for the shelf. Since I do not have one in hand, tonight I’m going for something cinematic since my TV has barely flickered for five months. I do combine exercise with watching, which I can’t do unnoticed in a screening room.
So glad you enjoyed the Folsom Fair comment, and thanx for the mention. I can’t believe I’m still here and never felt like I really fit into San Francisco, or perhaps I have not found genuine fulfillment (just paycheck addiction). The last 14 days I had zero hot water, and finally get to regroup and reach for tomorrow’s progress. Face mask from Lush required! Have a beautiful weekend.
Hi Alicia, thank you very much for the mention. What's this book club? I'm really pleased you gave up on Infinite Jest: I've started and stopped several times, and knowing I'm not alone in that is a great source of comfort, given that everyone says what a fantastic piece of work it is. I have to say, I have absolutely loved what I've read - I'm a huge fan of Foster Wallace -- but I've never got enough time to continue reading it before I forget what I've read, if you see what I mean. So my experience of Infinite Jest is a sort of literary Groundhog Day.
Lol "literary Groundhog Day" is such an apt metaphor! That's my experience of it, too. I do love his sentences and his inventiveness with words. There are passages that make me laugh out loud. But also some of the themes do feel repetitive. I would have loved to read Infinite Jest as a short story.
The whole theme of this book club is "books we want to say we have read but won't actually read unless anyone forces us to." Which made IJ the perfect candidate.
Indeed. I wonder if the world is filled with members of this book club. Whenever I'm in a literary group someone mentions Infinite Jest and everyone else nods sagely. I wonder how many have read it.
Ditto. A few hundred pages. Tough read.
Alicia, I do have to say that life is not too short for David Foster Wallace, whose own life was indeed too short—but then I've read Ulysses by Joyce four times.So, go figure.
I love Terry's Substack and had already read his post that includes 'long ass' and a fab link to you, dear Alicia.
For short, fabulous books consider Colm Tóibín though not The Magician because it's long, though wondrous, and consider Julian Barnes--everything he writes is short and he is truly marvelous. I have a long list of favorite books and wish I could join your bookclub. xo ~ Mary
Aptly enough, this club read "Ulysses" just before I joined! I do appreciate DFW and feel somewhat bad for not finishing the book. Perhaps I'll just have to return to him at a better time. I have loved his shorter work though. I read "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" a few years back and adored it.
Thank you so much for the Colm Toibin and Julian Barnes suggestions! I'd actually never heard of either one.
You're about to fall in love with these writers. And, actually, you do probably know Colm Tóibín because the movie Brooklyn is based on his novel of that same title. xo ~Mary
Have you come across Gay Talese? Amazing writer, who writes nonfiction like fiction. Seminal essay is Frank Sinatra Has a Cold: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a638/frank-sinatra-has-a-cold-gay-talese/
4 times? Well done.
Alicia, I love your writing and your sense of humour, and it seems like ages since you wrote anything, although I realise now that it's only two weeks. Please write something soon.
Tapping out around page 300 of 1079 could be graduation from entertainment addicts anonymous. Is the entirety of the book intended to read, or understand individual duration to the stop button? Such an awareness concept from the author would not surprise.
Entertainment is necessary to me as oxygen, and in my hometown of New Orleans there is more music to breathe than one could ask. I never thought with concern for addiction or negative impact until technology took a part. I always considered it healthy and social to spend 3-4 evenings a week attending live music, theater, artist receptions, or whatever to-do. I was born that way! To me, entertaining is a caring and loving.
I wish I had a book club around to enjoy! The social aspect is wonderful. When I find a read that keeps my attention like a good lover and I don’t leave my bed for the whole weekend aside from gathering coffee or fruit, and to bathe I know I’ve found a keeper for the shelf. Since I do not have one in hand, tonight I’m going for something cinematic since my TV has barely flickered for five months. I do combine exercise with watching, which I can’t do unnoticed in a screening room.
So glad you enjoyed the Folsom Fair comment, and thanx for the mention. I can’t believe I’m still here and never felt like I really fit into San Francisco, or perhaps I have not found genuine fulfillment (just paycheck addiction). The last 14 days I had zero hot water, and finally get to regroup and reach for tomorrow’s progress. Face mask from Lush required! Have a beautiful weekend.