Elizabeth, I can’t believe it’s already been two days since the end of The Infinite Jest Challenge. It seems like just yesterday that we were flipping back and forth four pounds of text. My Infinite Jest arm muscles have already turned to fat, I’m afraid.I’m thrilled that you agreed to this new project!
I’ve wanted to read the entire Berenstain Bears collection for ages and I’ve finally found the person to do it with. I know it’s intimidating, being over 300+ volumes and all, but I think the lessons learned during the Infinite Jest Challenge can be carried over to this project: all we need to do is pace ourselves and remember that there is an end in sight! Stan & Jan Berenstain obviously know what they’re doing and I trust that all the loose plot threads will be addressed in the second half of the canon. For example, how many white polka dotted one-piece dresses does actually own? Are those her pajamas? What is under her puffy night cap? And even if they’re not addressed, there will obviously be a thematic rationale to their exclusion. I’ve heard from various interviews that S&JB (as we should address the authors from here on out) actually formed the series in an elaborate Star of David. I guess we’ll find out for ourselves!
For this first book we’re reading, I was utterly taken aback by the lack of geographical, racial, and social context, but after maybe five pages, I began to absorb the characters more easily. I generally prefer the latter chapter works, but the First Time Readers might end up being a highlight of the collection.
What do you think our first BB Challenge should be? Readers? I say party hats.
