Kind of a disappointment. Gaddis confronts religion more directly and simply in this book than in any of his others, and yet the book itself turns out to be just so-so, far inferior to his others. ( )

Gaddis' writing is virtuosic, the format of dialogue and prose both a unique and fitting style to compliment thematic elements. This is undeniably an important novel but...

Spending time with an abusive alcoholic as he drinks and rants in his kitchen was trying. The character of Paul is like an unlikable Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski. A Walter Sobchak in real life.

This is a dark and pessimistic vision that was all the more difficult to read situated in the politics of 2019. I'm probably going to put off The Recognitions a little while longer. ( )

Gaddis' writing is virtuosic, the format of dialogue and prose both a unique and fitting style to compliment thematic elements. This is undeniably an important novel but...

Spending time with an abusive alcoholic as he drinks and rants in his kitchen was trying. The character of Paul is like an unlikable Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski. A Walter Sobchak in real life.

This is a dark and pessimistic vision that was all the more difficult to read situated in the politics of 2019. I'm probably going to put off The Recognitions a little while longer. ( )

dialogue constantly surges forward, relentless. i see now why they mention gaddis when reviewing books by david foster wallace.

the novel as a whole is almost startlingly well-crafted. images and phrases return sometimes like musical phrases echoing. made me think of symphonies, or sewing, just the way it was so beautifully woven together. often, the story felt devastating and desperate while the storytelling felt transcendent, brilliant.

i want to read this again, and more slowly.
( )

Four stars only because it falls a notch below the others novels I've read by William Gaddis. For someone new to his work, this may be the best first read as it's short and relatively easy to follow. ( )