Has anyone read William Gaddis?

Question

I'm getting 'The Recognitions' and 'JR' and was wondering what other people thought of Gaddis's work and what advice they have for people new to his work.

Answer 1

I've read J.R. and The Recognitions. A Frolic Of His Own is sitting on my shelf to be read. My advice? To more fully understand the referenced material - art, literature, history, religion, mysticism - in The Recognitions, you might want to have an encyclopedia on hand. Also, keep a fat dictionary nearby. This said, I enjoyed both books, even if that is a no no to some believing didacticism is "serious" literature's sole function.

I don't know if Gaddis really liked any of the characters in The Recognitions, and you'll see how I can think that later. J.R. can sometimes be frustrating in its form - almost all dialogue - but was never boring and very funny in many parts. I would say, if you intend to see both books through, have patience and enjoy what seems to be often overshadowed - Pynchon, DeLillo - work by an erudite, and apparently frustrated, writer. I'm nearing the water of A Frolic Of His Own, wary and excited.

Answer 2

Read Gaddis "The Recognitions" quite a few years ago. I enjoyed it.

Any advice I might give would to be willing to suspend your disbelief, as Coleridge phrased it.
Wierd things happen in the novel, but it works out well.

Haven't read "JR."

Good luck!