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A review by dandelion413
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy shit. Without a doubt the craziest experience of my life
If I had to be reductive I'd say this is what I wanted Gravity's Rainbow to be, but I don't so I'll go into detail
From the vey first chapters, I was already deeply engaged. The writing was so minutely detailed and witty; from moment to moment I was so invested and constantly either laughing or wincing or smiling or recoiling. I was told ahead of time to treat it a bit as a short story collection and I think that helped a lot. While I was invested in the overall narative, each chapter was enjoyable on its own (maybe not each chapter - looking at you AAVE chapter)
The descriptions of addiction were obviously one of the most impactful parts. The having one last one last time was funny and rang so true. Gately's story really filled me with hope, Hal's broke my heart. And Mario sections really brought me to tears. In the main action of the story they don't really change, but they are so fully realized.
I knew going in that there wasn't exactly an end to the book, but I was surprised at the extent to which there was no end lol. It really gets the mind racing as to what happens during that one year break. I'm still chewing through it, and as insane as it is, I'm already anticipating my next read.
The aforementioned AAVE chapter is awful, "Wardine be cry" like have you ever met a black person, DFW?? And the violence/grossness borders on the gratuitous, but that's really my only complaints.
Not perfect, but it is flawed in accomplishing something greater in scope than anything I've ever read and I can't stop thinking about it
If I had to be reductive I'd say this is what I wanted Gravity's Rainbow to be, but I don't so I'll go into detail
From the vey first chapters, I was already deeply engaged. The writing was so minutely detailed and witty; from moment to moment I was so invested and constantly either laughing or wincing or smiling or recoiling. I was told ahead of time to treat it a bit as a short story collection and I think that helped a lot. While I was invested in the overall narative, each chapter was enjoyable on its own (maybe not each chapter - looking at you AAVE chapter)
The descriptions of addiction were obviously one of the most impactful parts. The having one last one last time was funny and rang so true. Gately's story really filled me with hope, Hal's broke my heart. And Mario sections really brought me to tears. In the main action of the story they don't really change, but they are so fully realized.
I knew going in that there wasn't exactly an end to the book, but I was surprised at the extent to which there was no end lol. It really gets the mind racing as to what happens during that one year break. I'm still chewing through it, and as insane as it is, I'm already anticipating my next read.
The aforementioned AAVE chapter is awful, "Wardine be cry" like have you ever met a black person, DFW?? And the violence/grossness borders on the gratuitous, but that's really my only complaints.
Not perfect, but it is flawed in accomplishing something greater in scope than anything I've ever read and I can't stop thinking about it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Torture, Kidnapping