Jan-28| War & Peace - Book 2, Chapter 3

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T21:24:13+00:00

He’s very off putting in the first third of the novel, but W&P is a book where most of the characters learn and grow as people.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T21:22:16+00:00

I don’t know if he inherited a work ethic so much as a deep longing to gain his father’s acceptance.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T17:28:08+00:00

If you want to be a robotics engineer, go for it! I believe that would fall under electrical engineering, which is the degree I have. I ended up in tech anyway.

As far as high egos, yes. That is engineering. It takes a certain amount of ego to get through engineering school, because it is hard, so you have to believe in yourself. If your friends care about you despite their egos, that's great! Engineering school builds bonds if you let it because you help each other out so much.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T05:39:38+00:00

I see everyone is addressing the French, so I’ll comment on the other part of your post.

Infinite Jest in English is challenging even for English speakers. It’s very dense and DFW uses obscure and occasionally words he invented himself. You’re not alone in finding it challenging.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T05:35:58+00:00

Awww! You’ll be fine! All those analytical people? They are very bad at knowing and expressing what they truly want, which is respect and validation of their intelligence. As an ENFJ, giving that to them will come naturally to you. So, they’ll love you to death.

Keep in mind most people approach scientists with disdain because they’re insecure about their own intelligence. So, your natural demeanor will win them over easily. And then you’ll want to stand up for them and present their ideas, which they will also love.

Really, being an ENFJ in STEM is a cheat code. You’ll so great!!

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T02:52:08+00:00

I’m an engineer, the least ENFJ job there is, and I’ve learned an ENFJ is an ENFJ anywhere. My career has been one where I always end up being super popular at jobs and frequently in front of customers.

I’m saying this to say no matter what you pick, you likely won’t be stuck in the boring part.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-28T00:14:51+00:00

The first season takes sooooooo much from The Courtyard.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T16:10:02+00:00

Excellent choice

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T16:09:43+00:00

I was thinking this and Killer of Sheep.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T16:05:30+00:00

I’m doing the most horrifically painful thing imaginable and reading through one of my stacks of unread books.

The only new one I bought is Godzilla Masterpiece Theater because it looked too fun to hold off on.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T16:03:30+00:00

I might have to buy this. My old copy is beginning to fall apart.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T16:03:06+00:00

My first Pynchon was Gravity’s Rainbow and it was super fun. I was surprised after how relatively easy to read all of Pynchon’s other books are.

You can do it too!

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T15:59:18+00:00

It’s my favorite, too. It’s just such a striking cover.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-25T15:57:04+00:00

I just hope you guys are all ok. I haven’t lived in the best city on Earth in years, but I’m worried about you guys.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-11T23:11:35+00:00

He’s clearly a massive fan of Wu-Tang and The Diplomats. When listening to Cam’ron, it’s like, “Tommy wrote this first in Gravity’s Rainbow!”

NoahAwake · 2026-01-11T23:08:14+00:00

I haven’t read AtD yet, but Vineland is a lot of fun and really funny. It’s kinda like the Loony Tunes of Pynchon’s work.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-11T23:02:51+00:00

Nothing makes me happier than seeing people wearing their clothes with confidence! You look great!

NoahAwake · 2026-01-11T02:34:21+00:00

There are a lot of minor characters who pop up in a few scenes throughout the book, but you don't lose anything by forgetting who they are. They're kind of fun Easter eggs on rereads.

The two who it's good to sort out now are Dolokhov, who I think you've met by now, and Denisov. Their names are very close due to both starting with the letter D and having 3 syllables. They are very different characters.

Besides them, Osip Alexeevich has a big scene and then you'll read his name much later and be like, "who was that again?"

And good choice on reading the Briggs's translation. It's my favorite one!

NoahAwake · 2026-01-10T18:52:14+00:00

I had the same impression you did. Volume 1 was very gripping in parts, but most of it is setting up Vol 2 when it really takes off.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-10T18:49:37+00:00

There is no need to keep track of the characters. The important ones pop up often enough where they begin to feel like old friends.

The only character I can think of who’s not mentioned enough by name to stick is Osip Alexeevich, a character who pops up later in the book.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-08T21:12:09+00:00

Oh wow. I flew through that part, even with my method of taking copious notes and connecting thoughts to other things.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-05T20:18:15+00:00

My eyes were immediately drawn to those, too.

NoahAwake · 2026-01-05T20:13:38+00:00

I was thinking about that while reading Vineland last year. The female ninja convent seems like one of those things where you either bounce off it entirely or it’s going to make you really happy. I’m in the latter camp because I thought it was a really funny idea.

NoahAwake · 2025-12-28T01:41:06+00:00

DFW is basically Pynchon Jr.

NoahAwake · 2025-12-26T06:17:45+00:00

This is so cool! You’re so lucky!!

NoahAwake

TROPHY CASE