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Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace is our 4th Quarter (October - December) 2024 Long Read Choice.

This is the No Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on October 1, 2024.

This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.

Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page

The most important thing to remember is no plot discussion. Any post that contains plot information or spoilers will be deleted.

I started this in February of last year. After 3 solid weeks of reading, I left off at page 736. I couldn't take any more of Wallace's whining any prattling. But maybe this long read choice will convince me finish reading it.

lol

I read some of the reviews and it seems there are a lot of different thoughts on this book. I happened to find a copy at the library so I think I might be in.

Infinite Jest is a 1996 novel by American writer David Foster Wallace. Categorized as an encyclopedic novel, Infinite Jest is featured in Time magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels published between 1923 and 2005.

The novel has an unconventional narrative structure and includes hundreds of extensive endnotes, some with footnotes of their own.

A literary fiction bestseller after having sold 44,000 hardcover copies in its first year of publication, the novel has since sold more than a million copies worldwide.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I am just about to�. almost� start thinking about reading it�.

I see that it has a reputation of having ridiculous amounts of footnotes. Does that make print the recommended form? I my experience footnotes are a pain in ebooks.

Any experience with audiobooks?

J_BlueFlower wrote: "I am just about to�. almost� start thinking about reading it�.

I see that it has a reputation of having ridiculous amounts of footnotes. Does that make print the recommended form? I my experience ..."

I started early and it has taken me awhile just to get to page 120 or so, but I've almost completely ignored the endnotes/footnotes and instead relied on reading up on the specific chapters for analysis. The footnotes are in a way another little joke or jest by the author. I'm not sure what to make of this read so far, but I think I might need 3 months or so to finish, so it's a good thing I have it.

Most of the footnotes aren't vital to the story. a few of them explain something Wallace said; a lot of them simply say that wallace used a different word because he didn't think his character didn't express himself very clearly.

But some of the foonotes are more interesting than the story. Weird, huh?

I’ve had this book on my ‘want to read� shelf since 2015 and have heard a lot about it. Time to find out for myself! I plan on starting it in October.

I'm in! I'm going to try to finish it in three weeks- the length of the audiobook library loan. I bought a copy as well because the audiobook doesn't include the footnotes.

I've read some of David Foster Wallace's essays, but I haven't read much of his fiction- maybe a short story or two. Infinite Jest had always kind of put me off- not just because of its length (although that was part of it)- but also because I was 17 when it was published, and I associate it with a certain type of obnoxious English major from that era.

I'm really enjoying it so far- and I honestly don't think I could have read it much earlier in my life and appreciated it. Like, I'm glad I read Andre Agassi's memoir before starting this book- and I'm glad I lived in Arizona, worked as an educator, and have a different view of the zeitgeist of the 90s than I did when I was living through it. Having all those points of entry have helped me connect to the text.

I am going to join in but only for about 200 pages or so. I do not wish to devote the time to the novel now but will read along a bit and follow the comments.

I read this a couple of years ago but it is still vivid in my head so I will be watching the comments and maybe joining in. I found a copy of it at a library book sale for 10 cents! Almost a month's worth of reading for 10 cents!

I may sit this one out, unless someone can give me a wonderful reason to read it.

I'm about to page 200 and something and it's getting to be sort of an annoying/frustrating read to me. I'm a little put off by some of the content too. I'll try to persevere for awhile longer before throwing in the towel. There are some very interesting points and some valid humor in spots, but most of the of the "jokes" are wearing a little thin.

Katy wrote: "I may sit this one out, unless someone can give me a wonderful reason to read it."

I am trying to read it. People who have read it:
What kept you going?
Did you read the footnotes?

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Katy wrote: "I may sit this one out, unless someone can give me a wonderful reason to read it."

I am trying to read it. People who have read it:
What kept you going?
Did you read the footnotes?"


I don't think I read a single footnote. I kept going by focusing on the artistry of his prose and trusting that at some point I would 'get' it, which actually did happen. (I think).

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Katy wrote: "I may sit this one out, unless someone can give me a wonderful reason to read it."

I am trying to read it. People who have read it:
What kept you going?
Did you read the footnotes?"

Well, I haven't finished it yet- but I'm choosing to read some footnotes rather than ALL footnotes- which is what I'd typically do with a non-fiction text. There's a pattern to some of those footnotes too- so I'll check ahead to see if the next five are about specific drug combinations or whatever, and ignore the next four if they are. There are some about character nuances and motivation that I think are interesting and helpful.

I'm getting a bit lost in the Free Quebec counterintelligence plot- but the tennis school is keeping me going. I'm curious to see how those two plotlines will intersect.

His prescience around the impact of social media before social existed is also super interesting.

@Rachel. I agree about the social media/ communication bits and angle. There was one funny chapter that is about communication and the problems with it. I thought it was humorous and it reminded me a little of all those Zoom meetings people had during the pandemic and all the problems that came with those.

Some of the bits about ins and outs of the competitive tennis world are funny as well.

There's just a lot to take in, and there are many parts that are off putting that I feel like skimming through because they are just too much.

@Franky- Exactly! The videophone chapter was pretty much the Zoomdoom discussion we were having 25 years later.

@everybody, I found this helpful character chart through Reddit (and am super impressed by whomever took the time to put it together- must have been a boring day at work)

I tend not to read author's novel notes. Everything I need to know should be in the text itself, especially if the book has over 1000 pages.

Pharmacdon wrote: "I tend not to read author's novel notes. Everything I need to know should be in the text itself, especially if the book has over 1000 pages."

That is not always so. I have read a novel with a lot of important things in the notes. It was under 1000 pages. I am not naming the title because it is a bit of a spoiler.

Pharmacdon wrote: "I tend not to read author's novel notes. Everything I need to know should be in the text itself, especially if the book has over 1000 pages."

Here, here.

Finally got a copy and will hopefully be freeing up with some time too. Plan to do most of the reading next month, but will be looking at it bit by bit until i get more time. Thumbs up!

I am in principle still reading� It is just way down in the stack. I will pick it up again at some point... December,... January likely...

I appreciate all who are reading or have tried to read this book - we had 53 people who voted for it to win the poll. I like to know why you all voted for this book and if it has met your expectations?

I listened to the audiobook earlier this year, but the audiobook didnt include the footnotes. I found it helpful to reference an online synopsis every few chapters that also included relevant footnotes to the storyline. I found the book interesting but hard to follow.

I am struggling with this. I'm trying to read a couple of chapters a day but it's just so boring! It's very early, I'm about 12% in according to my Kindle, so I'm going to keep plugging away but it's definitely a chore at this point.

Katy wrote: "we had 53 people who voted for it to win the poll. ..."

Actually I am not one of them, so I guess that is my excuse.

;)

I voted for East Lynne! But I don't mind what's chosen - I'll try to read it. I joined this group to give me a framework because there are so many classics! I think I'm mostly struggling because this doesn't seem to be going anywhere. With War and Peace and Les Mis we had to contend with the old language but the story still progressed and could be followed relatively easily but with Infinite Jest you've got a lot of odd or made up words and phrases and no storyline. I just hope I don't turn out to be the kind of idiot reader the author wasn't writing for!

LOL

Somehow lost track of this thread, but i am here now!

Only on page 49, but today waa only the third time i have picked it up. Novemeber has been a busy month, and I only just got it.

But plugging along. I think my update today was illustrating my confusion about some bits. Clearly we have Hal's story being told. Now i have just read Orin (or was he the other one already mentioned), so at least 2 maybe 3 MCs now. Oh wait, the medical attache! Lol Ok so 3 or maybe 4 or more. I gather the novel is about a group of addicts, so this is the backstories? But yeah, a little bit confusing, but honestly not as intimidating as i thought or it could be. Sure, i have to think and pay attention, but despite it being a literal brick in length and weight, it reads pretty quickly. Maybe.

So, did i miss it or did they say what the attache is (view spoiler)[watching on the cartridge yet? Clearly he is engaged tho. (hide spoiler)] Haha

Oh and wtf was up with (view spoiler)[Hal's conversationalist therapist? (hide spoiler)] That chapter seemed quite bizarre.

Edit: added spoiler tags, but these things dont really deter or spoil the plot i think. I dont know for sure tho. Also did i post in the wrong thread? Is this No spoilers? If so, sorry. I did tag them tho