17-33
06.24.09
5:25 pm
Why so much on the Erdedy? This begins the section of the novel i suspect turns most people off; makes them feel like the book is a chore. Hopefully the book sometime gets around to a why, and that such justification turns out to be more than a simple thinning of ranks, pruning out the would-be intellectuals. Because come now DFW, that would be lame.
It's possible that this is one of those initiations to the powerful reach (that even these relatively innocent) drugs can have on our person, which he finds best illustrated through the anxious, debilitating waiting. But if so, that's certainly a confusion of distinct issues; that sort of waiting has much more to do with the anticipation of meaningful experiences we aren't completely comfortable with. And besides, i think most people have a familiarity with this, and we don't need such drawn out detail that doesn't really entertain or evolve the character all that much. At least not for me. It just makes me wish we got talked through his nerve-wracked bong purchase instead. And the climactic overload of... well let's just say i'm not with DFW on this one.
I found this next section somewhat unsettling as well. It is so well constructed, allowing convenient introduction to characters in an entertaining little scene that slowly explodes in madness and degenerates in deliri-speak where coherence is something that does not translate between individuals -- you know, characteristic Wallace fashion. I am just not sure i can buy the premise. This intelligent, perceptive boy we've been introduced to is so fooled by a disguise so as to not recognize his own father? Until the disguise melts off his face? Oh... i just can't quite buy it. You know? And even worse, you get this feeling that maybe it actually could have worked out, had we a little more of Hal's eyes, understood some details of the deception. Or how Hal's late 'revelation' should be reconciled with his earlier comment: "I know only one person who'd ever use full-bore in casual conversation." Which seems to be the only pre-indication of his awareness. Oh what's goin' on! Well, infectiously entertaining nonetheless. I also wish i could figure out what "lyrologist" refers to.
-"'I am wonderful fun to talk to. I'm a consummate professional. People leave my parlor in states. You are here. It's conversation-time. Shall we discuss Byzantine erotica?'"-
-"'Would it be rude to tell you that your mustache is askew?'"-
[archilochusColubris]
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