Well, I finally finished the Fortress of Endlessness. UG. Like those before me, I went from not being able to put this book down to being downright angry about still having to read the 150+ pages left to go. The book could have easily ended when Dylan gets accepted to S., or even Camden, but perhaps that would have been too pat.

Lethem

DJ Cayenne is on to something in that the third section of the book is not a “physical journey” — there is the time shift. In addition, Dylan has just made a movie pitch that has resonated with a producer – we can begin to see success coming his way; however, just like there is unfinished business with the movie pitch, there is some unfinished business of Dylan’s childhood he must resolve – in his head or otherwise.

The problems with the movie pitch paralleled my feelings about the book in general in that the best story was told in the first part of the pitch – the creation of the prison band is original and we can cheer on its success. However, by the time the movie’s protagonist comes back time and time again, coming up with a old new idea with each passing decade, the plot line grows ever so thin and tiresome and we question the protagonists, nay Dylan’s, purpose of reinvention and continuation, and beg for a stopping point. Sound familiar? After all, what’s the point?

Perhaps the book is posing a question of reinvention. Can you reinvent yourself? Can you ever completely escape your past? Obviously, Dylan has problems with this, especially from a childhood so vivid. His disappointment and disgust at being “yoked” is far more painful as an adult in that it puts him right back where he started. Clearly, Mingus does not escape the self-fulfilling prophesy of growing up black in the black ghetto (even though he may have had a chance). What about Dylan’s Dad? Does Dylan’s mom successfully reinvent herself after she leaves Brooklyn — how does she let go?

Perhaps, (and I’m reaching here) the author is trying to let us experience via readership what it is like to live first hand with the burdens of Dylan’s youth, but by the end, it was enough drug use/abuse already, enough sophomoric idealization of music (did I say that?), enough fantasy play via a comic hero (you got me there), and enough of the lack of female role models – perhaps that was the problem all along?

Huzzah Huzzah - on to a new read. But first, some much neglected knitting….

[Ed: You can read Dr J’s comments on this book, as well as the rest of the group’s previous discussion here.]