A couple words that came to my mind when I finished this book were transcendent, cinematic and stunning. Every time I picked up this book I felt a senA couple words that came to my mind when I finished this book were transcendent, cinematic and stunning. Every time I picked up this book I felt a sense of awe at the beautiful prose and story. There were certain world building scenes where I had to reread them again to play that scene in my mind another time.
I could gush about this book for a long while and this book has already gotten the praise that it deserves I want to emphasize the cinematic nature of the book as a counter to the difficulties of understanding the writing. Some pages, passages or sentences were meant to clearly be challenging or opaque in order to generate a moment that can be filled by the reader. Much like how a single shot in a movie can evoke a number of emotions this book did the same thing with me through its narration. Lastly, I do not agree with with the critique or the characterization of this book as a violent one. Yes, the reader is forced to be confronted with scenes of violence not normally present in our modern lives. But to deny that this violence isn't still a part of our world or very much formed the basis of our history is to not fully appreciate the complete picture of the human experience. A truly humbling book that I look forward to reading again....more
Imagery of nature that stirs the soul and a haunting story of a family coping with extreme adversity. This is a brilliant book that I regret not havinImagery of nature that stirs the soul and a haunting story of a family coping with extreme adversity. This is a brilliant book that I regret not having read sooner. ...more
Though at times I loathe to use the term post-modernism because of its nebulous usage - I think it is appropriate in this context to describe The CorrThough at times I loathe to use the term post-modernism because of its nebulous usage - I think it is appropriate in this context to describe The Corrections and the writings of DFW within the framing of the 'new' American novel. It was only after reading this book that I found the amazing connection and personal relationship that the two authors had. There are certain themes and passages in The Corrections that feel like DFW and maybe if I had read the books in a different order this would be flipped.
The connection to DFW aside, DFW and JF's approach to the post-modern American life focuses upon the limitations of the nuclear family unit. The middle child's name is Chip if that wasn't obvious enough. It is that struggle and misunderstanding of the two generations compounded by the technological advancements along with the great shift in social structure that JF weaves this brilliant narrative. There is a feeling of lack and a nervous sense of other in the current family structure. There is now something that is missing that used to bind the family together beyond just basic primal reproduction. Family within storytelling will be an eternal theme, but with family structures so different from the past this difference which results in that feeling of lack is something that motivates each character in each of their wonderfully fitting and tragic arch. In this way JF is much more focused narratively and thematically than DFW. Though they both still address the same thing - at least in Infinite Jest there is much more going on in that world beyond what is at it's core a story about family....more
A sincere deconstruction of the great hypocrisies of modern society that has exponentially increased human suffering. Nothing escapes the critical andA sincere deconstruction of the great hypocrisies of modern society that has exponentially increased human suffering. Nothing escapes the critical and thorough reflections of Tolstoi. What's left is whether we are as individuals ready to shed the familiar warmth and safety provided by the ignorance of our hypocrisies and embrace the unknown path forward....more
Hilarious and poignant. It starts as a fairly typical memoir but becomes dialectic and conversational. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful insight into Hilarious and poignant. It starts as a fairly typical memoir but becomes dialectic and conversational. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful insight into a man that is sorely missed and left before the world became an oblique reflection of the title of this memoir....more
A monolith of a novel in every sense. World building at its finest. Characters that punch you with the care that they have been crafted. Obnoxious andA monolith of a novel in every sense. World building at its finest. Characters that punch you with the care that they have been crafted. Obnoxious and pretentious at times but only to serve the greater underlying current of what is the single most important theme and reason for this book: humanity. I have never read a book as humourous, dark, myopic, sorrowful, ambitious or joyous as this one.
To me criticisms of this book, of which there is many, are mostly unfounded and if legitimately held come from a lack of ability to see the great humanity of what is being attempted in this novel. Difficulty is not an excuse. DFW is communicating something exceptionally complex and difficulty comes with the territory. Boring means that you've lost the optimism to see the interest of the everyday person. This is the best book that I've ever read and I will guard it jealously. ...more
An absolute beast of a book that at many times left me feeling like I was reading something in another language. But thankfully the Author takes multiAn absolute beast of a book that at many times left me feeling like I was reading something in another language. But thankfully the Author takes multiple opportunities to explain concepts and introduce ideas that even I could understand. At the end of the book, I felt sad because this book had occupied a significant portion of my life. It almost felt like a friend that was moving to another country but I still think about them often much like the concepts in this book. I don't think you would get much out of the book if you just powered through it. It is dense both in its text and conceptually. I would go as far as to say this book changed how I view life; though not significantly but noticeably enough....more
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