And now, at long last, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. We’re pleased to unveil:
The Official Rules
For Infinite Summer
MMIX
- …
Nah, we’re just yanking your chain. There ain’t no rules. Read Infinite Jest, start around June 21st (if you want), finish around September 22nd (if you want), gloat about having completed the novel afterward (required).
Okay! Mailbag!
From: Jesse
To: info@infinitesummer.org
Date: June 1, 2009Shoot ... I already started the book cuz I though this was gonna start TODAY, not in 20 days. I imagine I already broke the rules.
No worries. Our original plan for June 21st–testing participants for the IJ antibodies, to ensure that no one had premature exposure to the novel–proved too expensive. So you’re totally in the clear.
From: Phillip A.
To: info@infinitesummer.org
Date: June 2, 2009Do I need to just do 75 pages/week? I could probably read it faster...
Go nuts, Mr. A. You can think of us as a pacecar: you can leave us in the dust, but it’s probably best not to fall behind.
Indeed, some Infinite Jest veterans assure us that 75 pages a week is downright lackadaisical, and that the novel is so engrossing that you will blaze through it in record time. You’ll get no objection from us if you do. We here at I.S. Headquarters, however, will be sticking to our schedule, and moderating the discussion accordingly.
That said, even if you are ahead of the pack you should feel free to join the conversation. All we ask is that you adhere to the Inficratic Oath: First, Reveal No Spoilers. So, apparently, there is at least one rule.
From: Samantha
To: info@infinitesummer.org
Date: June 2, 2009I wanted to send a note to say that I think this project is AMAZING and am hoping to get a lot of my friends reading IJ along with you this summer.
But against my better judgment I also wanted to say that, in the Infinite Summer sidebar, the footnote to footnote 1 should be marked as 'a' and not '2', in true David Wallace Foster style.
Thanks, and fixed!
That’s just one of many great suggestions we have already received. Here’s another: “Maybe you should have activated the forums before you announced them.” Yeah, well … you know. Hindsight, and so forth.
If you’ve got comments or criticism or complaints, send them to info@infinitesummer.org, mention them in this thread, or propose them in the forums-that-we-totally-turned-on-this-time.
Comments
14 responses to “The Rules”
There’s so many words. Is it worth all the words?
Boy howdy yes
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27769
Somehow I think DFW would never stop barfing at the thought of this book being used to pump ads for “The Deck”
Sure wish I could read this book again for the first time. It is a wonderful, deep, and deeply funny novel. When I read it, it took me about four months, but I think I could have done it in three if I’d read it over the summer and not during the busier winter months. Y’all have fun!
HEY I.S.,
What are you going to do with all the MILLIONS OF DOLLARS you are generating from this FUN AND WONDERFULLY GOOD-NATURED IDEA?
May I suggest buying a gold-plated whaling boat and naming it the U.S.S. Timothy Geithner?
(SELLOUTS!)
Okay, bought the book today, will stick to your non-existing rules and start on june 21st!!!
This is great — I read IJ 10 years ago on a trip to Africa, and since DFW’s death, have been encouraging my wife to read it. She’s started, but has found it hard to stick with it given the realities of family, work, etc. Just talked to here and we’re going to both (re)read it and maybe even participate in the discussion.
If you want to read something DFW wrote that is amazing and isn’t 1500+ pages (but still has footnotes), go here: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200711/wallace-safety . A 250 word summary of “The American Idea” that is better than anything else I’ve ever read on the subject.
I bought Infinite Jest over Christmas and realized I had no time to write it. I have been planning–for the past 5ish months–to start it on June 24th, the day after I take my Boards. I can’t tell you the amazing feeling that hit me when I found out about this group of people who would doing it with me.
Infinite, indeed.
It’s winter here in the southern hemisphere – are there any additional rules we should be following? Do I have to read it backwards? Upside down?
This is just what I needed to motivate me!
Excellent thing you’ve done. I read IJ back in, I think, ’98, but for over a year I have been pestering a friend of mine to read it. She recently finished school, so there’s no excuse for her not to follow along with your project. Thanks!
Plus, of course, I’ll do it, as well. I already drop into sections of it at least once a month, just for the voice and the images and the characters and the feeling that someone out there understood what it’s like–even if he understood, it turns out, too well.
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I live in Osaka, Japan and have just received my copy of “Infinite Jest” Where should I start? I’m getting confused as to where I should make post comments, thanks