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A review by wampusreynolds
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
4.0
Sprawling, crazy, Terry Gilliam, Tolstoy, Burroughs, Didion, DeLillo synthesized then hit with a ray in a supervillain's lab to give him superhuman qualities, Wallace has created a book that people talk more about engaging with than the actual novel itself. I sure will.
After a few days after finishing (which only took ADD me 4 months to do), I still was at a loss at how to process it, how I ultimately felt. That was until I listened to the Slate Book Club discussion of it and I became very defensive of the book and Wallace (who they, of course like the pedantic critics they are, ascribe motives and personal characteristics to that just aren't there). This is a great book.
I don't fault anyone giving up on this book. It's tough. I needed an online discussion group to help me along. But sticking with it allowed me to behold some of the sweetest, strangest and affecting passages I've ever read. I could nitpick (and I didn't give this 5 because of things that I hated but you may love) but that seems silly. I do know if and when I reread this I will lightly skim several parts.
Moby-Dick is the Great American Novel and it is a crazed mess. It's not "Moby-Dick is the Great American Novel in spite of being a crazed mess." Greatness and frustration go hand in hand in novels. So here comes the blurb on the back of the next edition...
"Frustratingly great!" - Wampus
After a few days after finishing (which only took ADD me 4 months to do), I still was at a loss at how to process it, how I ultimately felt. That was until I listened to the Slate Book Club discussion of it and I became very defensive of the book and Wallace (who they, of course like the pedantic critics they are, ascribe motives and personal characteristics to that just aren't there). This is a great book.
I don't fault anyone giving up on this book. It's tough. I needed an online discussion group to help me along. But sticking with it allowed me to behold some of the sweetest, strangest and affecting passages I've ever read. I could nitpick (and I didn't give this 5 because of things that I hated but you may love) but that seems silly. I do know if and when I reread this I will lightly skim several parts.
Moby-Dick is the Great American Novel and it is a crazed mess. It's not "Moby-Dick is the Great American Novel in spite of being a crazed mess." Greatness and frustration go hand in hand in novels. So here comes the blurb on the back of the next edition...
"Frustratingly great!" - Wampus