Giles Goat-Boy

I've read about four stories in Lost in the Funhouse. Shit is beyond irritating to read, I really dislike Barth's voice.

>>9467492
I've read The Goat Boy. I quite enjoyed it, though I did think Barth was a little heavy handed with university-cum-universe symbolism, I bet in another 300 pages you'll be sick of the same old puns. That was really my only qualm with it.

Overall it's actually what you should expect from Barth: pithy, witty, indulgent, precise, virtuositic command of language.

If you finish it and enjoyed it I would definitely recommend reading his first three books, especially The Sot-Weed Factor which is tied with Ada for my favourite novel, ever.

Barth is trash, and I don't say that to be contrarian

>>9467504
After GGB Barth took a turn and his works becom a less "Fun," and more "Head ache inducing," academic type of fiction. I'd recommending reading anything pre LiTF if you want a taste of Barth at his best (which was fantastic, and makes his later works all the more dissappointing). I think DFW said Barth was like a bird flying in ever diminishing, albeit beautiful, circles

>>9467576
Out of curiosity have you read anything pre LitFunhouse? His later stuff really doesn't paint a representative picture/capture the flavour of his early work (first 4 novels)

>>9467504
I know what you mean, but once you finish the collection it becomes clear what he is trying to do. it helps if you have some knowledge of Greek mythology. the last story in particular is amazing.