Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars







“Classic - a book which people praise and don't read.” Mark Twain.

"Infinite Jest," written by David Foster Wallace, was published in 1996. It has been described as a modern classic. Time magazine included the novel in its list of the 100 best English-language novels for the years 1923-2005. The title of the novel comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the famous scene in which Hamlet holds Yorick’s skull aloft, remembering the jester as “a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy…”

For me, "Infinite Jest" falls into the company of ‘Reading Achievements,’ one of those weighty tomes that require a serious commitment from the reader. Trust me when I say that, at 1088 pages, this encyclopedic novel requires some effort. Think James Joyce’s "Ulysses," or Roberto Bolaño’s "2666." I believe that more people begin these works than finish them. I can hear the reader ask: “Why should I bother?” There are novels that offer great reward for the effort expended. The three listed above, for me, fit that bill.

There is a more political, a more socially radical answer to the question of why a reader should go to the bother of immersing themselves in a long, complicated novel. We live in a world of electronic links, of instant gratification as long as it doesn’t take up too much of our time. We must scroll off to the next article, the next meme, the next cute kitten gif. Facebook links for news article show banners that list reading times for the article contained: two minute read, four minute read. We are in danger of becoming a bite-sized society, completely devoted to the next instant and no more. Which, coincidentally, links us into the plot for "Infinite Jest."

The novel is set in a grim future world; a corporate dystopia. Months on the new calendar are named after sponsored products. Toxic waste dumps cover entire regions. Woven through the tangled strands of Infinite Jest is the “Entertainment,” a film so gripping to viewers that they lose all interest in anything else. They cease to eat, to drink, and they die; eyes still glued to the screen. The Entertainment is deadly, so deadly that a group of wheelchair-bound radicals will do anything to get their hands on it. These shadowy and absurd assassins follow the members of the Incandenza family, whose patriarch was the creator of the film. Hal Incandenza is the youngest son, the opening focus of the novel, and the nearest thing to a central character that exists in this novel.

The cast of characters comes from the tennis academy where young Hal trains, a group of addicts and alcoholics from the Boston streets, the aforementioned wheelchair assassins, the other members of the Incandenza family, and the government forces that are also seeking a copy of the deadly Entertainment. But now we are come to the cautionary tale, the warning to the reader: David Foster Wallace was in no hurry to tell his story.

Just as with the work of James Joyce, there are entire scholarly volumes devoted to this novel. Those works exceed the scope of this review by orders of magnitude. I do, however, have a small primer to offer, a bit of a guide, or roadmap if you will. You, the reader, are standing in an open field, freshly mown grass stretching away in front of you as far as you can see. At your feet is a strand of yarn, brightly-colored, with bits of shell and twigs woven in here and there. You begin to follow the strand, walking across the field, not really knowing exactly where you are going, but enjoying the walk. Another strand of yarn appears, paralleling the first. The strands do not intersect, but they catch the eye; interesting, compelling, or bizarre. Yet another strand appears. By now, the reader is far from the starting point, the colored strands stretching behind. Suddenly, one of the strands crosses another. There is a mental click, and a pattern begins to take shape amongst the tangle of seashells, twigs, and yarn. The reader continues walking forward, hurrying a bit. Two more strands cross each other, becoming one. Pieces of the puzzle fall into place. And so it goes, a sort of linear Easter Egg Hunt that stretches over six football pitches laid end-to-end. Whether the hunt is worth it of not is the prerogative of the individual reader.

In one of my worlds, the world of addiction, reading "Infinite Jest" offers a bit of bragging rights. Readers will have to look far and wide to find a more realistic, or grimmer, portrayal of a hard-core addict’s life in recovery. The scenes that take place in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (and NA meetings) are brutal, realistic, and compelling. The nature of addiction is one of the many themes addressed in this sprawling, dark, and complex novel.

In conclusion, this is not a novel for every reader. That is simply a statement of fact. For some readers, completing Infinite Jest could be a milestone. If you are a reader who is up for a compelling challenge, a dark, fractured narrative, this may be your book. I recommend this novel to those of you who are willing to embark on a strange literary journey.

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And, in a quick pause for the cause...

Marco Etheridge is an eccentric world traveler and writer living in Vienna, Austria. He is the author of The Dark Rain Series, a riveting and original tale of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. This post-apocalyptic saga opens with the novella "Clouds Before Rain" and continues in the full-length novel "The Best Dark Rain: A Post Apocalyptic Struggle for Life and Love." Marco's second novel, "Blood Rust Chains," is a stand-alone novel, set in Portland, Oregon. "Blood Rust Chains" was released in 2018. Marco's third novel, a political satire thriller, is complete and awaiting publication. He is hard at work on other projects, including a fourth novel, a three-act play, and a children's book.

To learn more about news, deals, or upcoming projects, please visit my website:

Marco Etheridge Fiction

A Great Gift: Read a Book to a Kid

The holiday season is upon us once again, a time for family, friends, food, and the giving of gifts. Are you looking for an amazing gift for a child, one that will last a lifetime? Allow me to suggest a simple and wonderful thing: read a book to the favorite Kid in your life. They will love it, they will not forget it, and neither will you. Reading aloud to a child is a bonding experience; a bit of time snatched from the hustle, bustle, and distractions of our busy world. Reading a book aloud can be a quiet moment of mutual magic. The story unfolds as one reads it, floating in the air for a little girl or boy to imagine. There is nothing quite like it. Instilling the love of books in a child is a gift that goes far beyond the simple act of reading. A child that is read to will become an adult that reads. That is a gift beyond price. 

But where to start? Listed below is my small primer of great stories for kids, graduated by age. Over the course of years, I have read each of these books to my son Liam. It is my hope that you will enjoy these classic tales for kids. More importantly, I hope that you read one of these to a child in your life. With that said, let's get to it! I have started each entry with some of the publisher's description. My own comments follow the descriptions.

 

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

Paperback, 186 pages

Published January 26th 2014 by Harper Collins (first published 1965) 

"Pb-pb-b-b-b. Pb-pb-b-b-b." With these magic vocables, Ralph the mouse revs up a dream come true--his very own motorcycle. Living in a knothole in a hotel room, young Ralph has seen plenty of families come and go, some more generous with their crumbs than others. But when young Keith and his parents check in to the hotel, Ralph gets his first chance to check out. He has always fantasized about venturing beyond the second floor, maybe even outside. 

My comments... 

This is a wonderful story about overcoming fear and having an adventure. Ralph the mouse is a great character for children as young as four years old. The bond that grows between Ralph and the boy Keith is heart-warming. With Keith's help, the toy motorcycle becomes the vehicle that enlarges and enhances Ralph's world. As an added bonus, there are some great opportunities for sound effects whilst reading this aloud. Go for it! Make the little motorcycle roar, and you will be rewarded with giggles.

 

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Paperback, Full Color Edition, 184 pages

Published October 1st 2001 by Harper Collins  (first published 1952) 

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.

My comments... 

Fair warning, no one is going to get through Charlotte's Web without a few tears. Because of some of the subject matter, I would say this book is best suited for children from six to sixty-five years old. 

The story of Wilbur (Some Pig!) and Charlotte, the wise spider, is poignant and emotional. Even with the inevitable tears, E.B. White weaves a most magical tale. I simply cannot imagine a child growing up without reading this book, or, better yet, having it read aloud. The supporting cast of barnyard characters, some good, some not so good, will enthrall any youngster. 

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Paperback, 256 pages

Published 1996 by Random House Bullseye Books (first published 1961) 

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams. 

My comments... 

Meet Milo, the boy who has everything. Life has lost its luster: boring, boring, boring. His toys are boring, his games are boring, and there is simply nothing worth doing. Sound familiar? When he discovers a small car and a magic tollbooth, everything changes. Milo has some lessons to learn. He sets out on a allegorical journey, one that will reveal the worth, or lack of worth, in many things. Some of the concepts in this book will be best understood by a child who is a bit older, somewhere in the range of eight to eighty years old.

 

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

 

Hardcover, Borzoi Book Edition, 146 pages

Published September 10th 2002 by Alfred A. Knopf (first published 1961) 

When James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree, strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it's as big as a house. When James discovers a secret entrance way into the fruit and crawls inside, he meets wonderful new friends--the Old-Green-Grasshopper, the dainty Ladybug, and the Centipede of the multiple boots. After years of feeling like an outsider in his aunts' house, James finally found a place where he belongs. With a snip of the stem, the peach household starts rolling away--and the adventure begins!

My comments... 

Roald Dahl is the master of 'Poor Boy Makes Good.' As in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mr. Dahl creates a magical world. The child has only to enter, and the journey begins. This is a classic tale of the boy who has very little, but is rewarded with riches beyond price: Adventure! Charming characters await inside the giant peach, which continues to grow, bigger and bigger. This story will enthrall small readers of all ages.

Watership Down by Richard Adams 

Mass Market Paperback, 478 pages

Published June 1975 by Avon Books (first published November 1972) 

Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.  

My comments... 

Watership Down is more of a commitment than the other books listed above. This full-length novel is one to be read over the course of many bedtime sessions before sleepy eyes close. It is a complex story, one more suited to children aged ten to one hundred years old. My son loved this story, insisting on long reading sessions before he would even consider sleeping. The story deals with deep bonds of friendship, adventure, and dangers overcome. 

Terror has come to the old warren, forcing the few surviving rabbits to flee. Dogged by their own fears, as well as real danger, they must overcome both to find a new home. The members of their small company each have their strengths and weaknesses. They must learn to work together to survive. Watership Down is a great anthropomorphic adventure, but also imparts some profound life lessons. This book is well worth the time invested

And, in a quick pause for the cause...

Marco Etheridge is an eccentric world traveler and writer living in Vienna, Austria. He is the author of The Dark Rain Series, a riveting and original tale of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. This post-apocalyptic saga opens with the novella "Clouds Before Rain" and continues in the full-length novel "The Best Dark Rain: A Post Apocalyptic Struggle for Life and Love." Marco's second novel, "Blood Rust Chains," is a stand-alone novel, set in Portland, Oregon. "Blood Rust Chains" was released in 2018. Marco's third novel, a political satire thriller, is complete and awaiting publication. He is hard at work on other projects, including a fourth novel, a three-act play, and a children's book.

To learn more about news, deals, or upcoming projects, please visit my website:

Marco Etheridge Fiction

Book Review: "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay"

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Michael Chabon's novel "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" is a deeply satisfying tale set amidst the heyday of the American comic book. An unlikely setting for a novel? Perhaps, but Chabon is a master of quirky settings, and equally quirky characters.

The story moves between Prague and New York; before, during, and after World War Two. The lives of two young cousins become intertwined, one a Jewish refugee from the Nazis who have occupied Czechoslovakia, the other a smart-aleck Brooklyn kid. As the events of the tale play out, these two form a partnership that will blaze a trail in the new world of the American comic book. Joseph Kavalier is the artist, the young man with the pen and ink. Sammy Clay is the idea kid, the story writer of the partnership. They learn the ropes of the comic book business, abused and taken advantage of by the guys with the money, older men who drain off their talents and ideas.

The comic book business is the vehicle that carries the story, but it is only a small part of the tale. Beneath it all looms the image of the Golem, the anthropomorphic being of Jewish folklore. The Golem of Prague is the vehicle by means of which Joe Kavalier escapes from Prague. The metaphor of the Golem is rooted deeply in each of the characters. Formed from the mud of the river, the Golem of Prague is made animate by the touch of the Rabbi's hand. The mark on the forehead is then wiped clean, leaving a trace. The mark of the Golem follows each of these characters, Joe and Sammy, Rosa and Tommy. The idea of the Golem represents the possibility of transformation, as well as a link to the past. War and peace, community and isolation, hope and despair, the living idea formed of clay is made manifest throughout the events of this sprawling storyline.

The motif of escape plays a large part in this novel. Escape becomes a character in the many references to Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist. Joe Kavalier is a trained lock-picker and escape artist, skills he learned from a mysterious magician in Prague. Yet he cannot escape his past, the truth of which he carries with him no matter where his adventures take him. Nor can Sammy Clay escape his past, his longing for an absent father, or his desire for the true love that society abhors.

Chabon creates complex, highly developed characters with whom the reader can readily identity and care for. As is typical with his work, Chabon inserts historical characters into his narrative, peppering the tale with the likes of Harry Houdini, Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, and the comic book icon Stan Lee. The result is a moving, complex, and fascinating tale.

"The Amazing Adventure of Kavalier & Clay" will appeal to a broad segment of readers. If you are a fan of historical novels, this is a great view of Pre- and Post-World War Two New York. If you grew up dog-earing the pages of comic books, this is a wonderful history of the birth that beloved genre. Readers who like a quirky love story will find both love lost and love found.

I am, admittedly, a big fan of Michael Chabon's work. If I was going to recommend only one of his novels, this would be it.

View all my reviews

And, in a quick pause for the cause...

Marco Etheridge is an eccentric world traveler and writer living in Vienna, Austria. He is the author of The Dark Rain Series, a riveting and original tale of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. This post-apocalyptic saga opens with the novella "Clouds Before Rain" and continues in the full-length novel "The Best Dark Rain: A Post Apocalyptic Struggle for Life and Love." Marco's second novel, "Blood Rust Chains," is a stand-alone novel, set in Portland, Oregon. "Blood Rust Chains" was released in 2018. Marco's third novel, a political satire thriller, is complete and awaiting publication. He is hard at work on other projects, including a fourth novel, a three-act play, and a children's book.

To learn more about news, deals, or upcoming projects, please visit my website:

Marco Etheridge Fiction

Book Review: "Empire of the Sun"

Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars








First, the disclaimer: I love J.G. Ballard's work. That said, this is a novel that deserves love. This semi-autobiographical saga opens in Shanghai at the beginning of World War Two. An invasion by the Army of Japan is imminent. The wealthy foreign traders who live in the Shanghai International Settlement are scrambling to safety. The stage is set. This is familiar ground for Ballard. He was born in Shanghai in 1930. He and his family were interned by the Japanese occupation forces, spending more than two years in captivity.

The Japanese sweep into Shanghai. Everything is in chaos. The young protagonist, Jamie Graham (The initials in Ballard's name stand for: James Graham,) is separated from his parents and lost in the chaos. This is the set-up to the story: a young boy lost on the floods of war. So, you may ask, what makes this novel different from the many stories featuring children adrift on the tides of war?

What makes this novel different is Ballard's unique style, coupled with his treatment of the main character. Ballard employs a writing style that ignores the sentimental, focusing instead on the bleak environment of life in the internement camp. There is a sense of careless callousness that dogs the heels of the characters. Then enter the child, Jamie Graham. He is not really a very likable little boy. This is not some plucky Dickensian Orphan that we are all rooting for, heartstrings all a-flutter. Jamie has an uncanny ability to see through the smoke screen of adult behaviors, sifting out the clues for a pathway to survival. Along the way, he is not the nicest boy in the world, but then neither are the adults.

To go further into the story would be to write a spoiler. So here is the hook, the reason I think you will love this book: An odd child, adrift in a suddenly deconstructed world, must learn to survive where the adults fail to. You might not want Jamie Graham to play with your children, but I am certain that you will care, very deeply, what happens to him in the course of this magnificent tale. "Empire of the Sun" can be dark, there is no doubt, but it is not bleak: and it is not without redemption. This novel is very near the top of my "Most Highly Recommended Novels" list.

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A Small Universe Expands

When I began my first novel, The Best Dark Rain, it was meant to be a stand-alone tale. The story begins in situ; the world has died, and Seattle has died along with it. The novel dives right into the lives of our protagonists, picking up the tale without any omniscient narration. There are no carefully inserted explanations; no second-rate scientist in a white lab coat, appearing from nowhere. The Best Dark Rain is still a stand-alone novel, but now it has company.

Readers, bless them each and every one, are stubborn creatures. And in this post-modern age, where we are all connected in a great tangle of social media, readers can ask authors questions. And they do; over and over again. What readers ask for, in general, is more background, more details. (Sometimes the ask for naked photos of the characters, but I gently ignore those requests.) 

First there were reader questions, then some badgering, and finally my own need for a shorter writing project. That project became the novella Clouds Before Rain. As my friend Roberto says: "Ta-Daa!"

Clouds Before Rain: A Prequel to The Best Dark Rain (Full title) is the tale of a world dying, and dying quickly. But the real story revolves around the choices that the survivors are forced to make. It was fascinating to imagine how different groups of folks would react, and then try to set that down in a shorter format. For better or worse, this novella is the beginning of The Best Dark Rain Series. I am sure there will be a sequel. If I've learned anything from the marvel Universe, there is always a sequel. But I'm not promising it will be tomorrow.

Both volumes in The Best Dark Rain series are available as eBooks or paperbacks. The eBook version is available over a wide platform of online booksellers, including Amazon, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, and more. Just click the appropriate link (below) to find your favorite vendor.

Clouds Before Rain can be found at:

Amazon Kindle

Kobo, Nook, iBooks, etc.

The Best Dark Rain can be found at:

Amazon Kindle

Kobo, Nook, iBooks, etc.

Thank you so much for reading, and for being readers. Readers rock my world!! There are more projects in the works, more updates, more book deals. Check out my website for all of the news. 

Marco Etheridge Fiction

Very best regards,

Marco