DFW alert

[Jeff Carpenter]

I find it interesting that there are more messages on the Pynchon list about
Wallace than on the Wallace list, which has been silent for over a month.  

For what it's worth, regarding Wallace and IJ:  while I  don't think that
Wallace achieves the Pynchonesque level he appears to be striving for, I have
to disagree with Jody regarding IJ's entertainment value.  I found Gately and
Mario  and  Joelle strong characters, and Hal too at times. After the violent
episode around page 480, the I felt the tension increase each time those bad
boys came around.   Which gave me a lot of problems with the ending.  The lack
of resolution was extremely frustrating and even more so because DFW evidently
intended it so (kinda like intentional premature Brennschluss).  Or maybe
closer to all foreplay and no sex. 

But taking each section of the book separately, I was entertained-- the boy can
write, and he was obviously influenced by TRP.  Reading IJ made me want to read
GR again, and that's not all bad.  

I have read several messages in the archives and in the active list during the
last few months regarding a new book from our man, a novel about the Civil War
or the Mason/Dixon line to come out early next year.  Anybody with an update on
that?

Regards,

Jeff