Infinite Joe

I knew this book was considered a "difficult read", so I waited for the right time to give it a shot. Right before Hurricane Sandy, when I knew I wasn't going to have any power, or any any work for a few days, I bought the book and looked forward to tackling it head on, without many, if any, distractions.

I don't mind a tough read. In fact, I can find them rewarding, as long as it keeps me interested. I read Infinite Jest, also considered to be difficult, and loved it.

Gravity's Rainbow just didn't keep me interested. Not at all. To me, it felt like the author tried to cram as much lofty prose, obscure references, and symbolism into the pages as he could, with "story" only lightly sprinkled on the top as an afterthought. And the story itself seemed confusing, disjointed, and incoherent.

If you asked me a week ago when was the last time I put down a book unfinished, I wouldn't be able to tell you. Ask me today, and the answer is obvious.

I understand that this book has great ratings, and a very protective following, and before any Pynchonians respond to this review lambasting me for not being able to fall in love with this unbelievable "masterpiece", let me just say that yes, you ARE more brilliant than I am. I obviously DON'T know what I'm talking about. And you are correct, I SHOULDN'T give it a review if I couldn't finish it.

But I did anyway.