<<... it's probably (I have no way of
proving this) the novel with the largest number of
distinct words in it ever written...>>
I am
dimly aware of a school of criticism which uses a
computer program to calculate the variety of words used in
a work as an attempt at quantifying originality. I
don't think it's a sound method, but it does exist, and
I'm sure such programs are available (for those who
want to scan in every page of a novel the size of
Infinite Jest, anyway.)
--M.W.