Yeah I never understood the association with infinite jest and being hard other than it’s long. The book is super funny and enjoyable to read.

I think it’s because Infinite Jest is clearly influenced by Gravity’s Rainbow.

<edit> misread your comment.

I think it’s because yes it’s long but it uses a complex narrative structure and has a lot of uncommon words. The annotations add a bit to it.

I agree it’s very enjoyable literature.

I disagree. I felt like Wallace used many more $10 words and the annotations were often long enough I would lose track.

Gravity’s Rainbow had easier text to read but I’d agree the narrative is probably more difficult to follow. I also think Gravity’s Rainbow is the better book in many ways especially as it rebates to “them” co-opting everything useful.

The chapter detailing Pokler’s history is probably the finest literature I’ve read.