The Marathon Read: A California-Based Book Club’s Journey Through “Finnegans Wake”
In the sun-kissed land of California, where the waves crash against the shore and creativity flows like the Pacific breeze, a unique book club embarked on a literary odyssey. Their chosen vessel? James Joyce’s enigmatic and notoriously difficult classic, “Finnegans Wake.”
This book club, perhaps a testament to the laid-back Californian lifestyle, took their time. A lot of time. Almost three decades, to be precise. Yes, you read that right. Twenty-eight years to traverse the convoluted, dreamlike narrative woven by James Joyce.
The Literary Challenge: “Finnegans Wake” by James Joyce
“Finnegans Wake” stands as a monument to literary complexity, a mountain that daunts even the most ardent of readers. Its narrative defies conventions of plot and continuity, and its language is a web of puns and idioglossia. Joyce, an Irish literary giant known for works like “Ulysses” and “Dubliners,” penned this literary behemoth over a span of 17 years, making it his final work.
The University of Florida Press aptly described it as, “Written in a complex, pun-based idiogloss and boasting a dreamlike narrative that defies conventions of plot and continuity, James Joyce’s ‘Finnegans Wake’ has been challenging readers since its first publication in 1939.” It is widely recognized as one of the most challenging works of fiction in Western literature.
The Procrastination Book Club’s Epic Journey
The journey of this procrastination book club began in 1995, a year when the internet was in its infancy, O.J. Simpson was acquitted, and the world was getting accustomed to Windows 95. Set against this backdrop, a group of book enthusiasts in California decided to tackle “Finnegans Wake.”
Their approach was unique, embodying the very essence of procrastination. Rather than charging through the text, they would read a single page and then engage in a two-hour discussion. Monthly meetings at the Venice branch of the Los Angeles Public Library provided the setting for their literary explorations.
As the years rolled by and the millennium turned, their endeavor persisted. The dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t deter them; they adapted, shifting their discussions to virtual realms via Zoom. The community that had evolved around “Finnegans Wake” was resolute, even as the outside world grappled with uncertainty and change.
The Sweet Victory: A Long-Awaited Conclusion
After a staggering 28 years, this tenacious book club, known as the Marshall McLuhan “Finnegans Wake” Reading Club, celebrated a monumental achievement – the completion of “Finnegans Wake.” On October 3, 2023, they turned the last page, or rather, the book ended mid-sentence on page 628 and looped back to the beginning.
For Gerry Fialka, the organizer of this enduring book club and a filmmaker by trade, this victory wasn’t about foreseeing the end; it was about the journey itself. As he shared with The Seattle Times, “I don’t know if I tried to foresee anything. I guess I don’t think, ‘This is going to last long.’ I just do it.”
The Perpetual Cycle: A Return to the Beginning
With the last sentence looping back to the first page, the book club isn’t resting on their hard-won laurels. Gerry Fialka affirmed that they plan to embark on another round, diving once again into the intricacies of “Finnegans Wake.” It’s a testament to their passion and dedication, a reminder that the journey of reading never truly ends.
The Marshall McLuhan “Finnegans Wake” Reading Club’s marathon through “Finnegans Wake” stands as an inspiring testament to the enduring power of literature. It reminds us that the journey of reading is as much about the path as it is about the destination. As they start anew, one cannot help but be inspired by their dedication and their unwavering love for the written word.
“Finnegans Wake” is a book that has challenged generations of readers, and the members of this book club have shown that with patience, dedication, and a sense of community, even the most difficult literary mountains can be climbed. Theirs is a story of perseverance and the joy of the shared literary voyage – a tale that echoes the very essence of why we read, discuss, and celebrate books.
