Infinite Summer

Seems like an enjoyable read. Good author! The story lines are riveting, the characters seem quirky but real. I think he gives plenty of contextual clues to understand his more obtuse word choices. I am glad that this project got me to read this book this summer.

I got to page 19 on 6/21. The admissions interview was surrealistic, paranoic, and beautifully written. It touched upon every admissions issue that I can think of. I am going to re-read which may put me behind. I am so pleased to have this summer challenge. Okay, so I reread this morning and think all admission counsellors should read this section as part of their training.

I love "how was your first sip?"
Like Amarone, a favorite wine from Italy... dry, subtle with so many undertones of delight.
Intoxicating.. one of a kind.

From my notebook:

pg. 14 - 15 Attempt to communicate, not being heard, totally misunderstood. There is more to him than the visible / physical. Look beyond that and there's brilliance, somewhere unseeable. Physical boundaries, limitations.

I am very much enjoying the book so far. I am intrigued by the chapter headings and the technical objects like the TP device and why the telephone is described as a telephone console. What time period is the novel taking place in? What do all the acronyms mean? What is going on in the world outside of Hal's personal space? And most of all: is it too early to be asking such questions?

This is my second attempt at this behemoth (last time I bailed around page 156) and I am incredibly intimidated. I bought the 10th Anniversary edition because I'd heard good things and it was incredibly cheap. I had no idea what I was getting into and quickly got out.

On the other hand, I adore the first chapter so much that I had to wonder why I couldn't finish this last time...

I'm trying to balance the notion that I could read this a lot faster if I was doing it on my own with wanting to take my time through it and really get into it (and stay with the crowd). I've purchased the two guides most talked about here and elsewhere to slow me down, and I'm also going to tackle some other DFW during the summer - finishing Broom simultaneously, and I'm going to read some essays as well.

I really love the Infinite Summer concept, it's just what I needed to start picking up books on a semi-regular basis versus doing other, more mindless things.