I think reading Infinite Jest completely changed the trajectory of my life. Before that I wasn’t interested in literature at all. I thought it was boring and lame, based on my experience with it in middle school. But DFW showed me that literature can be literally anything you want. It seems so obvious to say now but it was so eye opening…
I think reading Infinite Jest completely changed the trajectory of my life. Before that I wasn’t interested in literature at all. I thought it was boring and lame, based on my experience with it in middle school. But DFW showed me that literature can be literally anything you want. It seems so obvious to say now but it was so eye opening. It defied all my expectations, all the conventions I knew. It was thrilling. Suddenly I wanted to be a part of it. I started devouring novels, from Crime and Punishment to As I Lay Dying to Gravity’s Rainbow to House of Leaves to Lincoln in the Bardo, and every time (if it was good) realizing all over again: *it can be anything you want*. Amazing.
I recently finished the first draft of my very own novel. Who knows what will happen with it, but I can say for sure at least that it is an expression of me. It is me doing that, doing whatever I want. How exciting!
I had the same experience when I read Henry Miller’s Tropic of Capricorn. I was just getting into reading, a late bloomer. I was almost forty. And I had no idea there were books out there like that. Then I started writing and reading every classic I could find. The power of books is real.
I read them too, but with great resistance. I had just gotten married and was trying to condition myself to this new condition of life. That's when the book provoked me a lot.
Right! Completely changed my outlook on life, an outlook many people would disagree with, but it already aligned with my perceptions, only then did I have it in words—Miller’s words. If it wasn't for that book I might never have become obsessed with literature and writing and learned how to put my chaotic thoughts into words.
I think he is often overlooked or disregarded because of his sexually-explicit nature. I usually read that book each year, and now I think it’s time. Fall is the perfect time, too. Glad we connected. I'm always delighted to meet another Miller advocate. Somehow, I feel there aren't nearly as many as there should be.
It’s been a while since I've read Cancer, but I think I liked Capricorn more because I felt it was more philosophical. Miller’s views on work in Capricorn really hit me, too. The first paragraph alone altered my life. I was on a mission. I think I related a lot to his views. Sentences like: “There was nothing I wished to do which I could just as well not do.”
I woke up this morning, with time and a cup of coffee to read this thread and hopes of talking about the genius of Colossus of Maroussi. Little did I know it would already be HERE! For those curious, it is a free google book. This book sizzles in the first paragraph. The description of Greece and Judy Miller, I want to go to Greece but even more I want to be like Judy and have the power to paint and leave people with finished canvasses.
Hey I'm with ya. I'm halfway through the second draft of my first book and it's a doozy. But I can see the light on the other side and I suspect the third draft will be much more fun. Hang in there! <3
Infinite Jest is the one that I thought of too... it allowed me to show a little compassion and forgiveness to my self, and thereby to give up drink. Not total forgiveness, not even close, but just enough.
Plus it also showed me that the big scary novels weren't necessarily big and scary or out of my reach, and so opened the door to Moby Dick, Middlemarch, War and Peace, Gravity's Rainbow, Brothers Karamazov, ... (yet to finish Ulysses, though!).
Fair warning, it’s not for everybody. But that’s part of what I appreciate about it. It wasn’t written for mass appeal, it was written for the kind of person who would appreciate it.
I think reading Infinite Jest completely changed the trajectory of my life. Before that I wasn’t interested in literature at all. I thought it was boring and lame, based on my experience with it in middle school. But DFW showed me that literature can be literally anything you want. It seems so obvious to say now but it was so eye opening. It defied all my expectations, all the conventions I knew. It was thrilling. Suddenly I wanted to be a part of it. I started devouring novels, from Crime and Punishment to As I Lay Dying to Gravity’s Rainbow to House of Leaves to Lincoln in the Bardo, and every time (if it was good) realizing all over again: *it can be anything you want*. Amazing.
I recently finished the first draft of my very own novel. Who knows what will happen with it, but I can say for sure at least that it is an expression of me. It is me doing that, doing whatever I want. How exciting!
I had the same experience when I read Henry Miller’s Tropic of Capricorn. I was just getting into reading, a late bloomer. I was almost forty. And I had no idea there were books out there like that. Then I started writing and reading every classic I could find. The power of books is real.
Well, I read Anais Nin first, and she changed my life. She wrote about love, relationships, writing, all that I cared about. I devoured her Diaries.
I read Fire and loved every word. Nin is fantastic.
I just borrowed Henry and June by Nin, is that one a favourite of yours? Or any you’d recommend? I haven’t read any of her diaries yet!
I still remember reading Anais Nin's diaries!
Me too! Seemed like everyone was reading them my freshman year in college.
I read them too, but with great resistance. I had just gotten married and was trying to condition myself to this new condition of life. That's when the book provoked me a lot.
Nice. I have yet to read Henry Miller, this is a good motivator to do so.
I love that book! He IS Freedom!
Right! Completely changed my outlook on life, an outlook many people would disagree with, but it already aligned with my perceptions, only then did I have it in words—Miller’s words. If it wasn't for that book I might never have become obsessed with literature and writing and learned how to put my chaotic thoughts into words.
I think Miller is a genius. He needs to be read today. Lush Life. He is ALIVE! T of C is a rare gem. Thanks, dear comrade, for appreciating him too.
I think he is often overlooked or disregarded because of his sexually-explicit nature. I usually read that book each year, and now I think it’s time. Fall is the perfect time, too. Glad we connected. I'm always delighted to meet another Miller advocate. Somehow, I feel there aren't nearly as many as there should be.
Yes, I completely agree. Thank you for being you.
What do you think of Tropic of Capricorn in comparison to Tropic of Cancer?
It’s been a while since I've read Cancer, but I think I liked Capricorn more because I felt it was more philosophical. Miller’s views on work in Capricorn really hit me, too. The first paragraph alone altered my life. I was on a mission. I think I related a lot to his views. Sentences like: “There was nothing I wished to do which I could just as well not do.”
Yes! Maybe you and I can read Capricorn together this fall and email back and forth. I could start later in October. Be great to share Miller!
have you all read Colossus of Maroussi? I loved that one!
I woke up this morning, with time and a cup of coffee to read this thread and hopes of talking about the genius of Colossus of Maroussi. Little did I know it would already be HERE! For those curious, it is a free google book. This book sizzles in the first paragraph. The description of Greece and Judy Miller, I want to go to Greece but even more I want to be like Judy and have the power to paint and leave people with finished canvasses.
No, but it’s on my list! Thanks for the nudge.
I'm open to that idea, also depends on where I'm at work-wise in a month. Right now, I'm trying to get out of the weeds.
Me too! We can do January too.
I just finished my first novel. The second draft is proving to be daunting. Good luck.
Hey I'm with ya. I'm halfway through the second draft of my first book and it's a doozy. But I can see the light on the other side and I suspect the third draft will be much more fun. Hang in there! <3
I've lost track of the number of drafts of my novel.
Congratulations! That’s a big deal. Good luck!
The Moviegoer and The Last Gentleman by Walker Percy. It was the first time I saw my own experience of the world reflected back at me in a novel.
Infinite Jest is the one that I thought of too... it allowed me to show a little compassion and forgiveness to my self, and thereby to give up drink. Not total forgiveness, not even close, but just enough.
Plus it also showed me that the big scary novels weren't necessarily big and scary or out of my reach, and so opened the door to Moby Dick, Middlemarch, War and Peace, Gravity's Rainbow, Brothers Karamazov, ... (yet to finish Ulysses, though!).
Yea. Huge congrats! May it find its way into our hands.
That is such a nice thing to say 😭 thank you
Don't you wonder what David Foster Wallace would be thinking about and writing about now?
Love this, Dawson. Congratulations on the first draft, and keep at it!!
I had a similar experience of being thrilled with Infinite Jest. I remember thinking, "I didn't know you could do this with words."
"doing whatever I want." There's the rub.
I came her to say the something similar about Infinite Jest!
Fair warning, it’s not for everybody. But that’s part of what I appreciate about it. It wasn’t written for mass appeal, it was written for the kind of person who would appreciate it.
Gilt das nicht für alle Bücher?