Reading List Completists discussion

This thread is for discussion of Infinite Jest from pages 258 - 379 or roughly 25 - 38% of the electronic version.

Tennis tournament and a Narcotics Anonymous meeting start off "Part III". Not too exciting of a start. Unfortunately, not much to discuss at this point.

Lots of little anecdotes as we learn more about the tennis players and the NA meeting attendees.

Pay attention Matthew. There are things happening at this point that are crucial

TheLongWait wrote: "Pay attention Matthew. There are things happening at this point that are crucial"

I am trying . . . . but it is all drugs and tennis! Blends in with all I have been reading so far!

But, as mentioned, as I get used to the writing and the story, I think that I am absorbing things better.

Also, I am glad you are saying that there are things crucial to the story . . . I was beginning to wonder if there was an actual story or just a series of anecdotes and ramblings!

Just read about Orin and why he quit tennis and started punting (view spoiler)[ because of P.G.O.A.T. = Joelle (hide spoiler)]. It seems like the end of the section (p. 299) may be an important point to the story???? (or maybe not) (view spoiler)[Description of the video of Orin getting sacked during a failed punt attempt and the video breaking down/freezing on his face . . . and his eyes. (hide spoiler)]

So, I really do think what is making this book hard to push through is the large, run on paragraphs. I know I mentioned that before, but it is still bugging me! As I read this, I realize I am not following/keeping my thoughts organized because all I get is disorganized 4 to 6 page paragraphs (and with the size of print in this book, 4 pages would probably be 10 pages in a normal book!)

I do think that the story in interesting, but I find myself losing whole sections of it because my interest starts to trail off. This most recent section I went back through and spot-reviewed it and caught a lot that I missed . . .

As I sit here reading Infinite Jest . . . I look over longingly at the Dean Koontz I am currently reading (Velocity) with its nice short chapters, well organized and concise paragraphs, easy to follow story lines, no tennis . . . *sigh*

Learning more about Mario and his disability.

Pretty large footnote in the section I read tonight. I have to admit that when I am tired and I sit down to read 10 pages, and those 10 pages have a 15 page footnote, I am probably not going to read the footnote. (And the footnote print is so small - probably equal to 20 to 25 book pages)

Reading about Eschaton the tennis version of Global Thermonuclear War. I had to stop part way through as I was starting to lose focus. Will hopefully finish it tomorrow.

I love that scene. But you're right to be careful. There are echoes of it throughout....

Kind of hit a standstill here - in the middle of a rather lengthy, but interesting section about Boston AA. However, long work hours have caused me to doze off almost immediately when I start in on this every day this past week . . .

At the end of Justin's assigned part three! Hooray! I took a bit of a break in there, but hopefully I am back on track.

Lots of Boston AA stuff toward the end of this section. Some of the stories very intense! Not sure how this will all fit in.

Footnote 90....

Welcome to the Part III party! Don't have my copy on me - so I will have to check footnote 90 later . . .

I am sad to admit that around page 350 I gave up on reading the footnotes . . . they were frustrating more than adding to my experience . . . I know, some people will probably be disappointed with me because of this!

Matthew wrote: "Welcome to the Part III party! Don't have my copy on me - so I will have to check footnote 90 later . . .

I am sad to admit that around page 350 I gave up on reading the footnotes . . . they were..."

Yay! It's the first really long footnote. I usually read through the book and then go back to the footnotes when I'm done. Most of them are interesting enough that I keep reading.

Kirstin wrote: "It's the first really long footnote."

Ah, that may be the first one I skipped - is it the one that is about 28 pages long?

Matthew wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "It's the first really long footnote."

Ah, that may be the first one I skipped - is it the one that is about 28 pages long?"

No, it's only a couple of pages. 110 seems to be that one. Oh joy!

Kirstin wrote: No, it's only a couple of pages. 110 seems to be that one. Oh joy!"

Oops - I guess I should have put a spoiler tag on revealing the super long footnote - now I have ruined the surprise! ;)