Literary Exploration discussion

I've developed a fascination with experimental fiction though I haven't read much of it. Just like all 'labels' it's interesting to know that readers argue about the strict definition of experimental fiction.
I'll be reading Italo Calvino's If On A Winter's Night A Traveler. Much of Calvino's work could be called experimental fiction. Will Self's Umbrella would fit into this category.

What are your thoughts on experimental fiction? A load of hogwash or are you a fan too?
Do you have any other reading suggestions?

Have you tried House of Leaves? it was last months book you know. Or maybe The Master and Margarita.

I can't think of any others that I've read, but I do plan to read The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Or try looking at this list http://www.goodreads.com/genres/exper...

I like Calvino's works just because they are so refreshing. And The Master and Margarita is definitely a great read.

Another one for me is Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon. It's outrageous.

I admire Calvino from afar. I have yet to read his work but have collected many over the years. I have a small but beautiful collection sitting on my bookshelf. 2013 is going to be the year for me and Italo.
Thomas Pynchon is crazy business! But I endeavour to read his work one of these day :)

I think experimental fiction is fine and has some merit if it goes beyond its experimentation and form. In other words, there is some other quality it brings to the table. House of Leaves is a good example. The form is quite unconventional, but there are actually two (or more) stories that you follow in the book as well.

I cannot recommend Julio Cortázar enough. Love that guy. He's done some experimental fiction. Most notably Hopscotch, which has a structure where you can pick different ways to read it (leave out several additional chapters, or not). He's also a master of short stories, which are often weird and fantastical. They experiment with identity a lot. I loved the short stories, especially.

If you like Calvino, you probably like Cortázar too.

I liked Calvino's short stories but wasn't very comfortable with If on a..

The Castle of Crossed Destinies by Italo Calvino

Beautifully crafted.