[quote=Dervish]
I usually ask that people try to read the last 3 pages just to kind of get caught up to speed on current events and character and get a good grasp of where the story is sitting, but usually I try to get people up to speed the best I can with summaries and answering questions. It requires effort on both the GM and the new player's parts.
[/quote]

Yeah, asking the newcomer to read the past couple pages doesn't hurt. But the bulk of it? I'm fine with writing a summary.