Infinite Jest, Laughing Man and Too Much Joy. . .


Subject: Infinite Jest, Laughing Man and Too Much Joy. . .
Susan_Baskett@mail.pc2k.com
Date: Tue Jun 17 1997 - 08:10:03 GMT


  Hah - my subject heading ended up connecting in an amusing way that I
  didn't plan - oh well. . . anyway, i haven't written here in a while but
  I felt the desire to ask a few questions today. . .

  Has anyone read "Infinite Jest" by David Foster Wallace yet? Any
  thoughts about it? I'm planning to buy it next week after I finish the
  three books I'm in the middle of reading now. . . I have an awful (but
  very enjoyable) habit of roamimg through bookstores and buying a few new
  books even when I have loads at home to read. So anyway, within a week
  or so I'm thinking of allowing myself to buy it but I've never read
  anything by DFW before. Would it be better to start with another of his
  works (like many suggest if reading Pynchon's Mason&Dixon)?

  On another topic, I would like to hear anyone's thoughts on something
  from "The Laughing Man." What did you make of the Chief's relationship
  with his girlfriend (I can't remember her name and I don't have the book
  around. . . )? I haven't read the story in a while but I don't think I
  ever quite *got* what happened with them? Did they just split up or was
  there something more to it that I completely missed. . . ?

  Completely random note: Have any of you heard the band Too Much Joy's
  song "William Holden Caulfield?" Here are a few of the lines. They go
  something like this,

  "they call me william holden caulfield
  it was no compliment
  what's wrong with william holden caulfield? &
   i'm afraid of people who like catcher in the rye
  yeah, i like it too, but someone tell me why
  people he'd despise say i feel like this guy?
  i don't wanna grow up 'cause i don't wanna die"
  Has anyone else heard that song?

  Any thoughts on all the above???

  Susan



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