Hi. Jean, here, 49. I live in MA, single mom to two grown kids, one in college, one just out.
I read some of DFW's stuff a few years ago, enjoyed it, but IJ just sat on my bedroom floor. I kept rereading Dave Eggers' foreword, but never actually tried to read the book, until...
When I found out via the Howling Fantods that they were having a memorial service at Amherst for DFW, I really wanted to go, which was strange, because I'd never met the guy and only had a basic beginning appreciation of his writing. I was going to go with a friend, who ended up being unable to attend. I thought about skipping, but something drew me to take the beautiful 3 hour drive out west after work alone.
The memorial was very moving (the audio can be found on the HF site) and after they had a little reception across the hall. I sort of hung out on the edge of the group of obviously rabid fans listening to what Mark Costello (Dave's roommate at college) had to say. Mark then very kindly put out his hand and introduced himself, sort of inviting me into the group. I sheepishly admitted I hadn't read IJ, and he insisted that I had to read it. He said I would love it, especially being from the area. He said you would never know that Dave wasn't a native Bostonian when you read the book.
So I read it alone the first time. It took a bit to get into it, but once all the characters and settings fell into place, the flow was easier and the book became a real page turner. So funny, so disgusting, so horrifying, so sad....Big, big emotions. But I know so many of these places. I went to nursing school at St. Elizabeth's, cripes, I was born there and so were my kids. I've driven the Storrow 500 and the T. My Portuguese g'parents lived in E. Cambridge, near Inman Square. I remember that goddamn "Fresh Killed Chickens" sign on Cambridge St. My parents had their wedding reception at the Sheraton Commander in Harvard Square. It's freaky, and yet somewhat comforting.
Sorry for rambling. I'm really glad to be able to discuss salient points this time around with other readers instead of sitting alone making huge question marks in the margins by myself. Ha.
_________________ "The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you." DFW
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