I realize not a lot of people read this guy (maybe they did) but I really was hoping for a new novel at some point. Crappy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080914/ap_en_ot/obit_wallace
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I agree, hell of a book.
Hell of a non-fiction writer too. I'm depressed now.
http://gawker.com/5049526/david-foster-wallace-dead-of-suicide-at-46
QuoteFoster Wallace, longtime darling of grad students and civilian PoMo lit fans, was often very funny in print (see his famous essay skewering the cruise ship experience, "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again"), but as his 2005 speech at Kenyon College implied, he was not unfamiliar with the heft of existence:
Quote[L]earning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master.
This, like many clichés, so lame and unexciting on the surface, actually expresses a great and terrible truth. It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in: the head. They shoot the terrible master. And the truth is that most of these suicides are actually dead long before they pull the trigger.
Very Sad.
Quote from: Thrillho on September 15, 2008, 01:21:50 PM
http://gawker.com/5049526/david-foster-wallace-dead-of-suicide-at-46
QuoteFoster Wallace, longtime darling of grad students and civilian PoMo lit fans, was often very funny in print (see his famous essay skewering the cruise ship experience, "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again"), but as his 2005 speech at Kenyon College implied, he was not unfamiliar with the heft of existence:
Quote[L]earning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master.
This, like many clichés, so lame and unexciting on the surface, actually expresses a great and terrible truth. It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in: the head. They shoot the terrible master. And the truth is that most of these suicides are actually dead long before they pull the trigger.
Very Sad.
I'm curious as to why he hung himself when he knew his wife would find him that way. That seems cruel. Unless she knew it was coming.
I told him he had to go home, but that fucker kept hanging around.
Quote from: Fork on September 15, 2008, 07:28:21 PM
I told him he had to go home, but that fucker kept hanging around.
Quote from: article
David Foster Wallace ... was found dead in his home
I don't get it, he was at home already. Were you in his basement for a party and under the impression that it wasn't actually his home but someone else at the party? Why were you in California? I don't get your post at all.
Quote from: Pre on September 15, 2008, 09:53:11 PM
Quote from: Fork on September 15, 2008, 07:28:21 PM
I told him he had to go home, but that fucker kept hanging around.
Quote from: article
David Foster Wallace ... was found dead in his home
I don't get it, he was at home already. Were you in his basement for a party and under the impression that it wasn't actually his home but someone else at the party? Why were you in California? I don't get your post at all.
Kurt was supposed to make me a photoshop that would clear everything up.
McSweeney's (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/) has a wonderful tribute to Wallace up.
Quote from: Pre on September 16, 2008, 04:37:24 PM
McSweeney's (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/) has a wonderful tribute to Wallace up.
Some of those stories were great, some were written by people who must think they could be him. Either way, it's great reading about people's experiences with IJ.
Two bookmarks and marked up with a pen. Never read a book that made me do that before, never have since.
Pre, I'll one up you....sorta.
http://harpers.org/archive/2008/09/hbc-90003557
As a partial aside: If you enjoyed Infinite Jest, then I'd highly recommend House of Leaves (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/House-of-Leaves/Mark-Z-Danielewski/e/9780375703768/?itm=1)
It's no replacement for DFW, but if I were to give it a bad one sentence pitch that would be given in a Red Eye equivalent of a literary magazine I'd say it would be like IJ and Foucault's Pendulum had a love child.
Quote from: Pre on September 18, 2008, 01:53:14 PM
As a partial aside: If you enjoyed Infinite Jest, then I'd highly recommend House of Leaves (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/House-of-Leaves/Mark-Z-Danielewski/e/9780375703768/?itm=1)
It's no replacement for DFW, but if I were to give it a bad one sentence pitch that would be given in a Red Eye equivalent of a literary magazine I'd say it would be like IJ and Foucault's Pendulum had a love child.
I have the hardcover multi-color edition at home asking to be read..I was told not to read it at night though...what are your thoughts on that?
Also Pre, have you read any Gaddis or Pynchon? I'm a big, big fan of Thomas Pynchon and I've been reading Gaddis' The Recognitions lately. You can see these guys were big influences on DFW and he kind of got me into all of those writers a bit.
I'm trying to stay in order with Pynchon, so I've got V, The Crying of Lot 49, Gravity's Rainbow and Vineland done. I still have to read Mason & Dixon and Against the Day (which is just MASSIVE). V is definitely my favorite so far. If you wanted a sample of Pynchon without spending months reading it, check out the Crying of Lot 49. Not too long, but dense as hell.
Quote from: 5laky on September 18, 2008, 02:17:03 PM
Quote from: Pre on September 18, 2008, 01:53:14 PM
As a partial aside: If you enjoyed Infinite Jest, then I'd highly recommend House of Leaves (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/House-of-Leaves/Mark-Z-Danielewski/e/9780375703768/?itm=1)
It's no replacement for DFW, but if I were to give it a bad one sentence pitch that would be given in a Red Eye equivalent of a literary magazine I'd say it would be like IJ and Foucault's Pendulum had a love child.
I have the hardcover multi-color edition at home asking to be read..I was told not to read it at night though...what are your thoughts on that?
Also Pre, have you read any Gaddis or Pynchon? I'm a big, big fan of Thomas Pynchon and I've been reading Gaddis' The Recognitions lately. You can see these guys were big influences on DFW and he kind of got me into all of those writers a bit.
I'm trying to stay in order with Pynchon, so I've got V, The Crying of Lot 49, Gravity's Rainbow and Vineland done. I still have to read Mason & Dixon and Against the Day (which is just MASSIVE). V is definitely my favorite so far. If you wanted a sample of Pynchon without spending months reading it, check out the Crying of Lot 49. Not too long, but dense as hell.
House of Leaves is
pretty rad a good read. I basically read it in three days straight during a Christmas holiday, with very little sleep.
Night reading of it is...a little creepy.
EDIT: Did I really say "pretty rad?"
Quote from: Pre on September 18, 2008, 01:53:14 PM
As a partial aside: If you enjoyed Infinite Jest, then I'd highly recommend House of Leaves (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/House-of-Leaves/Mark-Z-Danielewski/e/9780375703768/?itm=1)
It's no replacement for DFW, but if I were to give it a bad one sentence pitch that would be given in a Red Eye equivalent of a literary magazine I'd say it would be like IJ and Foucault's Pendulum had a love child.
I prefer the potty-training book,
House of Leavings.
I'd argue House Of Leaves is, like most things, more intense at night. I felt like I was a necessary part of the book. Maybe it was just where I was mentally when I read it.
I've got a used copy of Mason & Dixon in the backseat of my car I've been meaning to read for about a year now. I've never read any Pynchon but I've only ever heard good things. I'll have to bump it up the reading list. I'm so far behind these days it's sad. I thought I'd read more as I got older.
I've been reading Ecco's newish "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana" and enjoying it. On one hand he's a genius and easy to recommend, but on the other side his books can be a bit of a chore to finish.
I think it's interesting you read authors in order, do you think it adds a lot? I normally read them in whatever order I stumble across them at the used book store, unless it's someone I love and actually buy new.
Quote from: Pre on September 18, 2008, 03:53:52 PM
I'd argue House Of Leaves is, like most things, more intense at night. I felt like I was a necessary part of book. Maybe it was just where I was mentally when I read it.
I've got a used copy of Mason & Dixon in the backseat of my car I've been meaning to read for about a year now. I've never read any Pynchon but I've only ever heard good things. I'll have to bump it up the reading list. I'm so far behind these days it's sad. I thought I'd read more as I got older.
I've been reading Ecco's newish "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana" and enjoying it. On one hand he's a genius and easy to recommend, but on the other side his books can be a bit of a chore to finish.
I think it's interesting you read authors in order, do you think it adds a lot? I normally read them in whatever order I stumble across them at the used book store, unless it's someone I love and actually buy new.
I got about halfway through and got sidetracked. It's still on my shelf with a bookmark in it from 2 years ago. I liked it, but I probably would have to start over at this point.
I would honestly start with Crying of Lot 49, then move to Gravity's Rainbow. It's a TOUGH read, but it's ultimately very rewarding.
Quote from: Pre on September 18, 2008, 03:53:52 PM
I'd argue House Of Leaves is, like most things, more intense at night. I felt like I was a necessary part of the book. Maybe it was just where I was mentally when I read it.
I've got a used copy of Mason & Dixon in the backseat of my car I've been meaning to read for about a year now. I've never read any Pynchon but I've only ever heard good things. I'll have to bump it up the reading list. I'm so far behind these days it's sad. I thought I'd read more as I got older.
I've been reading Ecco's newish "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana" and enjoying it. On one hand he's a genius and easy to recommend, but on the other side his books can be a bit of a chore to finish.
I think it's interesting you read authors in order, do you think it adds a lot? I normally read them in whatever order I stumble across them at the used book store, unless it's someone I love and actually buy new.
I usually don't, just with Pynchon. I had been wanting to get into him for a long time and I figured I'd start with his first full novel.
Quote from: Jon on September 18, 2008, 04:18:49 PM
Quote from: Pre on September 18, 2008, 03:53:52 PM
I'd argue House Of Leaves is, like most things, more intense at night. I felt like I was a necessary part of book. Maybe it was just where I was mentally when I read it.
I've got a used copy of Mason & Dixon in the backseat of my car I've been meaning to read for about a year now. I've never read any Pynchon but I've only ever heard good things. I'll have to bump it up the reading list. I'm so far behind these days it's sad. I thought I'd read more as I got older.
I've been reading Ecco's newish "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana" and enjoying it. On one hand he's a genius and easy to recommend, but on the other side his books can be a bit of a chore to finish.
I think it's interesting you read authors in order, do you think it adds a lot? I normally read them in whatever order I stumble across them at the used book store, unless it's someone I love and actually buy new.
I got about halfway through and got sidetracked. It's still on my shelf with a bookmark in it from 2 years ago. I liked it, but I probably would have to start over at this point.
I would honestly start with Crying of Lot 49, then move to Gravity's Rainbow. It's a TOUGH read, but it's ultimately very rewarding.
Gravity's Rainbow is a really, really tough read. I mean it's fucking out there like you wouldn't believe. The constant theme of all his books seems to be paranoia and not only are his characters paranoid, you get paranoid because you're not sure what reality or alternate reality the narrative is taking place. For example: talking light bulbs.
Anyway, check out Crying for sure. It won't take you forever and if you like the stuff we've already talked about I have no doubt you'll think that book is super fucking cool.
Quote from: 5laky on September 18, 2008, 05:03:44 PM
The constant theme of all his books seems to be paranoia and not only are his characters paranoid, you get paranoid because you're not sure what reality or alternate reality the narrative is taking place. For example: talking light bulbs.
This.
And the transition from rational narrative to "what the hell is going on" is seamless in a lot of passages. Gravity's Rainbow is secretly about 500 pages longer than it looks because you end up going back and rereading the last page or so to figure out what you must have missed.
Quote from: Jon on September 18, 2008, 06:40:04 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 18, 2008, 05:03:44 PM
The constant theme of all his books seems to be paranoia and not only are his characters paranoid, you get paranoid because you're not sure what reality or alternate reality the narrative is taking place. For example: talking light bulbs.
This.
And the transition from rational narrative to "what the hell is going on" is seamless in a lot of passages. Gravity's Rainbow is secretly about 500 pages longer than it looks because you end up going back and rereading the last page or so to figure out what you must have missed.
The best part is that the paranoia he instills in the reader is completely intentional. I remember reading the first 20 or 30 pages and thinking, "OK, so far I think I have a pretty good idea of what is going on here." And that went straight to hell immediately after the mention of Slothrop's memories circa 1944 and Blicero's disgusting exploits.
And that's where it gets fun.
I know not everyone likes him (understatement alert!), but Bill Simmons wrapped-up his weekly column with:
One last thing ...
RIP, DFW. I wish you way more than luck.
Quote from: PenFoe on September 19, 2008, 04:19:46 PM
I know not everyone likes him (understatement alert!), but Bill Simmons wrapped-up his weekly column with:
One last thing ...
RIP, DFW. I wish you way more than luck.
Thanks for alerting me about the understatement AFTER I already read it. Dick.
Quote from: Kerm on September 19, 2008, 04:42:37 PM
Quote from: PenFoe on September 19, 2008, 04:19:46 PM
I know not everyone likes him (understatement alert!), but Bill Simmons wrapped-up his weekly column with:
One last thing ...
RIP, DFW. I wish you way more than luck.
Thanks for alerting me about the understatement AFTER I already read it. Dick.
Pen is the worst person on earth (hyperbole alert).
Well worth the read if you were fond of DFW:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/09/090309fa_fact_max
Quote from: 5laky on September 13, 2008, 11:04:09 PM
I realize not a lot of people read this guy (maybe they did) but I really was hoping for a new novel at some point. Crappy.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080914/ap_en_ot/obit_wallace
He was working on one but decided to suspend the project this week.
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
That's nothing. I'm 570 pages into "War and Peace" and I'm still not halfway done.
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
I'm almost 300 pages in, and it's an awesome book. The first 100-150 pages are a little tough/confusing, but stick with it. Definitely worth it once you start to figure out the characters. Our timing is great, because some bookfaggots who are smarter than us are blogging about it this summer:
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215 (http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215)
Quote from: RV on June 22, 2009, 08:53:08 PM
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
I'm almost 300 pages in, and it's an awesome book. The first 100-150 pages are a little tough/confusing, but stick with it. Definitely worth it once you start to figure out the characters. Our timing is great, because some bookfaggots who are smarter than us are blogging about it this summer:
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215 (http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215)
Goddamn it. I read this alone with no support and had to convince the one dude that I knew who would, to read it. He did, but after I had finished.
Anyway, my advice is to use a pen when you read it and mark the words you have never heard before. Also, don't skip the footnotes. You're not reading it to get it over with, you want the full experience. I usually would make a note in the margin where the footnotes were so I could go back after every break to see what they said. Some are one sentence or less, some are multiple pages.
Maybe when you guys finish we can talk about your favorite parts? Pretty please?
Quote from: Slak on June 22, 2009, 11:07:43 PM
Quote from: RV on June 22, 2009, 08:53:08 PM
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
I'm almost 300 pages in, and it's an awesome book. The first 100-150 pages are a little tough/confusing, but stick with it. Definitely worth it once you start to figure out the characters. Our timing is great, because some bookfaggots who are smarter than us are blogging about it this summer:
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215 (http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215)
Goddamn it. I read this alone with no support and had to convince the one dude that I knew who would, to read it. He did, but after I had finished.
Anyway, my advice is to use a pen when you read it and mark the words you have never heard before. Also, don't skip the footnotes. You're not reading it to get it over with, you want the full experience. I usually would make a note in the margin where the footnotes were so I could go back after every break to see what they said. Some are one sentence or less, some are multiple pages.
Maybe when you guys finish we can talk about your favorite parts? Pretty please?
I'm picking this up next time I'm in the local Bookatorium. So this can be the fhaggiest book club EVER!
Quote from: Slak on June 22, 2009, 11:07:43 PM
Quote from: RV on June 22, 2009, 08:53:08 PM
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
I'm almost 300 pages in, and it's an awesome book. The first 100-150 pages are a little tough/confusing, but stick with it. Definitely worth it once you start to figure out the characters. Our timing is great, because some bookfaggots who are smarter than us are blogging about it this summer:
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215 (http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215)
Goddamn it. I read this alone with no support and had to convince the one dude that I knew who would, to read it. He did, but after I had finished.
Anyway, my advice is to use a pen when you read it and mark the words you have never heard before. Also, don't skip the footnotes. You're not reading it to get it over with, you want the full experience. I usually would make a note in the margin where the footnotes were so I could go back after every break to see what they said. Some are one sentence or less, some are multiple pages.
Maybe when you guys finish we can talk about your favorite parts? Pretty please?
You're totally going to make us write a paper on this, aren't you?
Quote from: PenFoe on June 23, 2009, 11:08:23 AM
Quote from: Slak on June 22, 2009, 11:07:43 PM
Quote from: RV on June 22, 2009, 08:53:08 PM
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
I'm almost 300 pages in, and it's an awesome book. The first 100-150 pages are a little tough/confusing, but stick with it. Definitely worth it once you start to figure out the characters. Our timing is great, because some bookfaggots who are smarter than us are blogging about it this summer:
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215 (http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215)
Goddamn it. I read this alone with no support and had to convince the one dude that I knew who would, to read it. He did, but after I had finished.
Anyway, my advice is to use a pen when you read it and mark the words you have never heard before. Also, don't skip the footnotes. You're not reading it to get it over with, you want the full experience. I usually would make a note in the margin where the footnotes were so I could go back after every break to see what they said. Some are one sentence or less, some are multiple pages.
Maybe when you guys finish we can talk about your favorite parts? Pretty please?
You're totally going to make us write a paper on this, aren't you?
I just wanna TALK to someone about it. When you start going through it you'll understand. It's fucking weird and awesome.
Quote from: Slak on June 23, 2009, 11:38:35 AM
Quote from: PenFoe on June 23, 2009, 11:08:23 AM
Quote from: Slak on June 22, 2009, 11:07:43 PM
Quote from: RV on June 22, 2009, 08:53:08 PM
Quote from: PenFoe on June 22, 2009, 04:35:37 PM
Quote from: 5laky on September 14, 2008, 03:41:30 PM
Quote from: Jon on September 14, 2008, 10:00:31 AM
Yeah, I just read that. I've never read him, but I've been told to more than once.
If you ever were so inclined, pick up Infinite Jest and give it a shot.
I know this isn't the Book Club thread, but I just picked this up.
I'll get back to you in 2014 when I finish it.
I'm almost 300 pages in, and it's an awesome book. The first 100-150 pages are a little tough/confusing, but stick with it. Definitely worth it once you start to figure out the characters. Our timing is great, because some bookfaggots who are smarter than us are blogging about it this summer:
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215 (http://infinitesummer.org/archives/215)
Goddamn it. I read this alone with no support and had to convince the one dude that I knew who would, to read it. He did, but after I had finished.
Anyway, my advice is to use a pen when you read it and mark the words you have never heard before. Also, don't skip the footnotes. You're not reading it to get it over with, you want the full experience. I usually would make a note in the margin where the footnotes were so I could go back after every break to see what they said. Some are one sentence or less, some are multiple pages.
Maybe when you guys finish we can talk about your favorite parts? Pretty please?
You're totally going to make us write a paper on this, aren't you?
I just wanna TALK to someone about it. When you start going through it you'll understand. It's fucking weird and awesome.
Some advice...
http://infinitesummer.org/archives/277
QuoteDon't sweat all the Hamlet stuff; you can worry about those references on the second time through if you actually like it enough to read it a second time. Leave your dictionary at home; let Wallace's grammatical gymnastics and extensive vocabulary wash right over you; you'll get the gist and the gist is more than enough. Is the novel postmodern or not? Who f'ing cares...the story stands on its own. You're likely to miss at least 50% of what's going on in IJ the first time though and it doesn't matter.
I agree. Definitely read all the footnotes as you go.
But don't get caught up on the fact that DFW's vocabulary is both awesome and awesomely utilized.
Now I'm going to have to reread this book...
The chapter on Eschaton is quite possibly the most entertaining 20 pages of any book I've ever read (starts on pg. 321 Pen if you want something to look forward to). Absolutely hilarious and awesome.
Quote from: RV on June 30, 2009, 08:27:12 AM
The chapter on Eschaton is quite possibly the most entertaining 20 pages of any book I've ever read (starts on pg. 321 Pen if you want something to look forward to). Absolutely hilarious and awesome.
What blows my mind is that someone fucking made that up. For a book. That guy had an amazing mind.
Quote from: Slak on June 30, 2009, 08:50:35 AM
Quote from: RV on June 30, 2009, 08:27:12 AM
The chapter on Eschaton is quite possibly the most entertaining 20 pages of any book I've ever read (starts on pg. 321 Pen if you want something to look forward to). Absolutely hilarious and awesome.
What blows my mind is that someone fucking made that up. For a book. That guy had an amazing mind.
I'm still laughing about Otis P. Lord solemnly opening up the lockbox on his food cart to pull out the red beanie that signifies Utter Global Crisis.
Quote from: RV on June 30, 2009, 08:27:12 AM
The chapter on Eschaton is quite possibly the most entertaining 20 pages of any book I've ever read (starts on pg. 321 Pen if you want something to look forward to). Absolutely hilarious and awesome.
I should be on Page 321 somewhere around Christmas time.
Having a newborn and being in grad school have basically limited my reading time to the bathroom...hemorrhoids be damned!
I am enjoying it though. The 4-5 page internal mind rant on the guy waiting for his dope to get delivered was priceless.
I just didn't want you to be "waiting" for me.
Quote from: Slak on June 30, 2009, 08:50:35 AM
Quote from: RV on June 30, 2009, 08:27:12 AM
The chapter on Eschaton is quite possibly the most entertaining 20 pages of any book I've ever read (starts on pg. 321 Pen if you want something to look forward to). Absolutely hilarious and awesome.
What blows my mind is that someone fucking made that up. For a book. That guy had an amazing mind.
I really really want to play that game.
My favorite part in history is the musings on the failure of the video phone to catch on.
For a time I was also obsessed with the Wheelchair Assassins.
Quote from: Slak on June 30, 2009, 12:41:05 PM
My favorite part in history is the musings on the failure of the video phone to catch on.
For a time I was also obsessed with the Wheelchair Assassins.
The idea of the masks and dioramas was outstanding and probably not far removed from what would actually hai.
Fine. I'll pick up the book. Can we go back to talking about death and zombies in here now?
Quote from: Oleg on June 30, 2009, 01:04:58 PM
Fine. I'll pick up the book. Can we go back to talking about death and zombies in here now?
Tell her no, no, no, no, nah nah nah nah no, no, no, no, nah nah nah nah no, no, no, no.
Quote from: Fork on June 30, 2009, 01:14:47 PM
Quote from: Oleg on June 30, 2009, 01:04:58 PM
Fine. I'll pick up the book. Can we go back to talking about death and zombies in here now?
Tell her no, no, no, no, nah nah nah nah no, no, no, no, nah nah nah nah no, no, no, no.
There have got to be at least 40 other threads you can ruin instead of this one.
Quote from: RV on June 30, 2009, 12:48:07 PM
Quote from: Slak on June 30, 2009, 12:41:05 PM
My favorite part in history is the musings on the failure of the video phone to catch on.
For a time I was also obsessed with the Wheelchair Assassins.
The idea of the masks and dioramas was outstanding and probably not far removed from what would actually hai.
As someone who has to talk to his wife on skype for the time being, I can promise you it's true. We almost never use the video function. Just the voice.
Quote from: PenFoe on June 30, 2009, 01:17:45 PM
Quote from: Fork on June 30, 2009, 01:14:47 PM
Quote from: Oleg on June 30, 2009, 01:04:58 PM
Fine. I'll pick up the book. Can we go back to talking about death and zombies in here now?
Tell her no, no, no, no, nah nah nah nah no, no, no, no, nah nah nah nah no, no, no, no.
There have got to be at least 40 other threads you can ruin instead of this one.
40, 41, whatever it takes.
Not that you need any motivation to finish but when you find out what happens to Orin, please let me know.
Quote from: Slak on June 30, 2009, 01:57:40 PM
Not that you need any motivation to finish but when you find out what happens to Orin, please let me know.
Haven't reached that point yet, but I'm around page 600 and this is my definitely my favorite book ever. Wallace's ability to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of a particular scene is just stunningly good. I know the word 'genius' gets tossed around too much, but it's definitely appropriate for this guy. Found a couple interesting interviews:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040606041906/www.andbutso.com/~mark/bookworm96/ (http://web.archive.org/web/20040606041906/www.andbutso.com/~mark/bookworm96/)
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/5639 (http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/5639)
Quote from: RV on July 15, 2009, 01:10:10 PM
Quote from: Slak on June 30, 2009, 01:57:40 PM
Not that you need any motivation to finish but when you find out what happens to Orin, please let me know.
Haven't reached that point yet, but I'm around page 600 and this is my definitely my favorite book ever. Wallace's ability to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of a particular scene is just stunningly good. I know the word 'genius' gets tossed around too much, but it's definitely appropriate for this guy. Found a couple interesting interviews:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040606041906/www.andbutso.com/~mark/bookworm96/ (http://web.archive.org/web/20040606041906/www.andbutso.com/~mark/bookworm96/)
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/5639 (http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/5639)
The Orin stuff is almost in a throwaway scene near the end. You won't get there for a while but you'll clench up a little. And then you'll post your thoughts here. I'm looking forward to them.
Quote from: 5laky on September 15, 2008, 01:30:55 PM
Quote from: Thrillho on September 15, 2008, 01:21:50 PM
http://gawker.com/5049526/david-foster-wallace-dead-of-suicide-at-46
QuoteFoster Wallace, longtime darling of grad students and civilian PoMo lit fans, was often very funny in print (see his famous essay skewering the cruise ship experience, "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again"), but as his 2005 speech at Kenyon College implied, he was not unfamiliar with the heft of existence:
Quote[L]earning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master.
This, like many clichés, so lame and unexciting on the surface, actually expresses a great and terrible truth. It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in: the head. They shoot the terrible master. And the truth is that most of these suicides are actually dead long before they pull the trigger.
Very Sad.
I'm curious as to why he hung himself when he knew his wife would find him that way. That seems cruel. Unless she knew it was coming.
According to this, it sounds like his whole family saw it coming. Sad stuff.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23638511/the_lost_years__last_days_of_david_foster_wallace
More from the Rolling Stone archives:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23638939/getting_to_know_david_foster_wallace
And this sounds interesting:
http://www.theawl.com/2010/03/booked-up-although-of-course-you-end-up-becoming-yourself-a-road-trip-with-david-foster-wallace-by-david-lipsky
Quote from: R-V on March 25, 2010, 10:37:42 AM
Quote from: 5laky on September 15, 2008, 01:30:55 PM
Quote from: Thrillho on September 15, 2008, 01:21:50 PM
http://gawker.com/5049526/david-foster-wallace-dead-of-suicide-at-46
QuoteFoster Wallace, longtime darling of grad students and civilian PoMo lit fans, was often very funny in print (see his famous essay skewering the cruise ship experience, "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again"), but as his 2005 speech at Kenyon College implied, he was not unfamiliar with the heft of existence:
Quote[L]earning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about quote the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master.
This, like many clichés, so lame and unexciting on the surface, actually expresses a great and terrible truth. It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in: the head. They shoot the terrible master. And the truth is that most of these suicides are actually dead long before they pull the trigger.
Very Sad.
I'm curious as to why he hung himself when he knew his wife would find him that way. That seems cruel. Unless she knew it was coming.
According to this, it sounds like his whole family saw it coming. Sad stuff.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23638511/the_lost_years__last_days_of_david_foster_wallace
More from the Rolling Stone archives:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23638939/getting_to_know_david_foster_wallace
And this sounds interesting:
http://www.theawl.com/2010/03/booked-up-although-of-course-you-end-up-becoming-yourself-a-road-trip-with-david-foster-wallace-by-david-lipsky
QuoteYou are the sickness yourself.... You realize all this...when you look at the black hole and it's wearing your face. That's when the Bad Thing just absolutely eats you up, or rather when you just eat yourself up. When you kill yourself. All this business about people committing suicide when they're "severely depressed;" we say, "Holy cow, we must do something to stop them from killing themselves!" That's wrong. Because all these people have, you see, by this time already killed themselves, where it really counts.... When they "commit suicide," they're just being orderly.