I recommend "Mythic Worlds, Modern Words" by Joseph W. Campbell as a good introduction to the Wake, especially its decryption of the first few paragraphs, which

I recommend "Mythic Worlds, Modern Words" by Joseph W. Campbell as a good introduction to the Wake, especially its decryption of the first few paragraphs, which are especially dense -- and not just because they're at the beginning and the reader isn't comfortable yet with the style. I've read it all the way through three times. (I'm old.) It's worth the time, if you're willing to spend it.