Infinite Jest is a dense book. Put most simply, it has a lot of words, and, thanks to the endnotes, some gangs of them can take you by surprise. It's kind of frustrating, really.
I mean, as someone trying to get through a bunch of books, Infinite Jest is like being trapped in a molasses spill. It comes on slowly plot-wise, but at the speed of realizations character-wise. And by the time you realize that you're knee-deep into it, it's already too late - a second wave comes and crashes over you.
But I do like molasses.
The introduction of the Enfield Tennis Academy's buddy system adds some layers to Hal's character, and gives the other upperclassmen we've already met (Troeltsch, Struck, etc.) actual characterization. It's incredible to read so much going on in only 11 pages, but it's also disheartening knowing that there are another 900 (plus endnotes) to go.
Maybe I just need some toutons for all of this molasses.
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