A review by chronoguard
The Recognitions by William Gaddis, William H. Gass

4.0

By no means an easy read, but well worth the effort. It's fair to say the novel is filled with characters who would be hated by Holden Caulfield; characters who pretend to be more interesting than they really are. Otto, wrapping his arm in a sling, feigning an injury never suffered, hoping only to be asked what happened. People judging art not on its own merits, but rather recycling overheard opinions, so as not to look foolish. This is a novel about fraud and forgery not just in the world of art, but in ourselves. Our protagonist, Wyatt, struggles to find authenticity in a world full of copies. Though written in 1955, this is as relevant today as it was then.