It is rare to find a reader who is lukewarm about this book one tends to either love it or loathe it enormously. So did i, for the first two or three pages, until i saw the author didnt give a damn. I cant recommend the purchase of the what at first appears to be the amazing ive heard good things about the audio. When people do tackle it, they often give up within the first 200 pages or soone of the most difficult. The novel infinite jest is the story of this addictive entertainment, and in particular how it affects a boston halfway house for recovering addicts and a nearby tennis academy, whose students have many budding addictions of their own. I had just read infinite jest, right after college, and i wrote like him for a. If there is a chance we have missed the answer you are looking for, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you with. Choose from 500 different sets of infinite jest english flashcards on quizlet. Navigating its maze of relationships and 400 footnotes could drive even the most seasoned literary disentanglers up. A book that has shaped popular culture despite or because of its length which demands a bit of much rewarding work from the reader. Despite being built up as the literary wunderkind of his generation, despite having been widely acclaimed as the author of one of greatest novels of the 20th century, he could not escape the realization that, at least as a. Apr 12, 2012 why i cannot recommend the infinite jest audio book infinite jest i guess this is a first for me and ill get straight to the point. Its an astonishing work, dense and darkly brilliant.
The mythos of the novel alone is often enough to deter most readers. Infinite jest summary at wikisummaries, free book summaries. Infinite jest is the name of a movie said to be so entertaining that anyone who watches it loses all desire to do anything but watch it. Jun 02, 2009 also worth reading although possibly less timeconsuming than infinite jest is a great essay from that master of the weird china mieville. With its baroque subplots, zany political satire, morbid, cerebral humor and astonishing range of cultural references, wallaces brilliant but somewhat bloated dirigible of a second novel after the b. Excerpts from a conversation with david foster wallace the new. Oct 18, 2016 infinite jest explores the idea that all humans are addicts and examines how the chosen drugs particularly entertainment of late 20th century americans eat them alive. Dec 10, 2010 david foster wallaces infinite jest, a favorite book of many, is the kind of genrebender that will thwart your mind with its convoluted narrative, plethora of allusions and cultural references, and multilateral connections between the characters.
Infinite jest is the name of a movie said to be so entertaining that anyone who watches it loses all desire to do anything but watch. Although wallace may have actualized the concept of the addicted gaze to the literal or physical response to the viewing of incandenzas coveted film the entertainment infinite jest, it is manifested symbolically throughout the novel in the distractions of its characters. Below are my favorite sentences from a truthfulness perspective. Beyond the ease with which one can lookup footnotes, consider the following. It has been categorized as an encyclopedic novel and made time magazines list of the 100 best englishlanguage novels published between 1923 and 2005. Please expect some creasing to the spine andor minor damage to the cover. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Apr 25, 20 infinite jest david foster wallace rating.
Infinite jest is a 1996 novel by american writer david foster wallace. Navigating its maze of relationships and 400 footnotes could drive even the most seasoned. Infinite jest is a 1996 novel by david foster wallace comprising about 1,000 pages. Jan 27, 2017 just over twenty years ago, david foster wallace published his bestknown and most frustrating novel, infinite jest. As a college english major, ive read my fair share of great literature, and very few authors even approach wallaces ability to entertain, enlighten, mystify or infuriate. Favorite sentences and paragraphs from infinite jest comments. But the novel still contains many highly entertaining and provocative sections. You start the book having no clue when it is happening and who the various characters are. Creating customer value on the digital frontier by b. Infinite jest chapter 1, year of glad, and chapter 2, year. The plot of infinite jest takes place in a somewhatmoredystopian future uni. David foster wallaces magnum opus is definitely one of the most polarizing popular novels in recent memory. If you do this, you also need to tear the footnotes from the back half and tape them to front half. My thoughts on completing david foster wallaces infinite jest.
It is designed as a resource for potential readers who fear infinite jest is plotless. Book excerpts are provided by the publisher and may contain language some find. The novel is a interconnected sequence of events, told out of timeline order, that focuses on addiction in all its forms. Its a big very big, bold, complex book that divided critics yet nevertheless landed with a thud on that list of novels everyone intends to read someday. I felt compelled throughout to read it aloud, such was the almost poetic quality of it. Drug enforcement agency mp military police queer a square beef spoil the chances of success of a fair complaintargument. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Infinite jest is a clear example of how humans add to the confusion of the world. But no comparison could prepare us for what is surely one of the most original and adventurous novels of the decade. Npr coverage of infinite jest by david foster wallace. Unquestionably, infinite jest required great ambition and focus to write, and requires a bit of ambition and focus to read as well. There is stuff that happens in the opening pages that explains events at the end of the book, albeit over pages and hundreds of footnotes away. My transcript for the last year might have been dickied a bit, maybe, but that was to get me over a rough spot. This study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of infinite jest. Even though i feel a sense of accomplishment, i also feel as if ive experienced a new way of experiencing fiction as an art form and as a whole. Infinite jest is a 1996 novel by david foster wallace comprising. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Just wrapped up infinite jest a couple of days ago and im experiencing a wide range of feelings about my experience with david foster wallaces masterpiece.
I travelled with the story through every discursive subplot, waded through incredibly unnecessary and pretentious vocabulary, slogged through advanced mathematics which were incomprehensible, and weeded my way through those goddamn footnotes. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. I think if theres one theme it tends to be how we distract ourselves. Im still trying to make sense of infinite jest io9. I rated infinite jest 4 of 5 stars because i found that with the long break i took part way through the book i forgot some key parts to the plot line and i think this kept me from really grasping the entirety of what dfw wanted to get out with the novel which is why im keen on rereading this book eventually. Copyright 1996 david foster wallace all right reserved. Also, with the second novel i wrote i had to learn not to imitate david foster wallace.
Learn infinite jest english with free interactive flashcards. On this page will find the solution to protagonist in david foster wallaces infinite jest crossword clue. Infinite jest by david foster wallace turns 20 today, and im still confused by it all these years later. See this excerpt from the united nations world drug report 2004. Is there no ending to infinite book because there couldnt be. But this infinite jest summary guide may actually prove valuable to you at least, that is the hope. Nov, 2006 this book is wandering, selfindulgent, overwritten, and gives ample evidence that the academics and literati are captivated by the deranged workings of a damaged mind wallace struggled with addictions and mental illness and killed himself a couple years after infinite jest was published. Protagonist in david foster wallaces infinite jest. Favorite sentences and paragraphs from infinite jest ben. Dispatched, from the uk, within 48 hours of ordering.
Infinite jest by david foster wallace the millions. This document was uploaded by user and they confirmed that they have the permission to share it. Steven asin infinite jest is the perfect book for the kindle paperwhite. Why i cannot recommend the infinite jest audio book. Infinite jest is a cult book that became a phenomenon right from its publication day in 1996. Feb 01, 1996 admittedly, infinite jest is a tough book. Infinite jest is a novel written by david foster wallace. David foster wallaces infinite jest, a favorite book of many, is the kind of genrebender that will thwart your mind with its convoluted narrative, plethora of allusions and cultural references, and multilateral connections between the characters. Wallace wrote to a friend that the fuckers cut by 600 pages from the first version.
Hal incandenza, a tennis prodigy and drug user as a result of. Infinite jest explores the idea that all humans are addicts and examines how the chosen drugs particularly entertainment of late 20th century americans eat them alive. Thanks to tim feeney for this very detailed account of each of the many characters in infinite jest. Tom bissell and the editor michael pietsch discuss infinite jest. A novel by david foster wallace and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Excerpt from infinite jest david foster wallace 3no7y355wyld.
In short, if finnegans wake was a rancid fart that was proudly left to rip, infinite jest is a weak one, lacking sound and odor. After seventeen years in the publishing business, i decided that it was time to finally pen this book, a comprehensive guide to writing and publishing. It all started with a post called 1088 reasons you should read infinite jest. Excerpts from a conversation with david foster wallace during the last leg of his infinite jest book tour in 1996. My thoughts on completing david foster wallaces infinite.
Ive seldom been more engrossed in a novel, and more willing to put in the time of. Some readers have found it useful to rip the book in half for easier reading on the subway or on the beach. On sunday, i named infinite jest as a book readers can benefit from dipping into, even if they never read it straight through to the end. Favorite sentences and paragraphs from infinite jest ben casnocha. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of infinite jest by david foster wallace. I think part of the cult lies in the fact that its long and difficult. Despite being built up as the literary wunderkind of his generation, despite having been widely acclaimed as the author of one of greatest novels of the 20th century, he could not escape the realization that, at least as a novelist, he was a poser and a literary charlatan. Certain kind of parallel lines are supposed to start converging in such a way that an. Mar 08, 2016 on sunday, i named infinite jest as a book readers can benefit from dipping into, even if they never read it straight through to the end. This book is wandering, selfindulgent, overwritten, and gives ample evidence that the academics and literati are captivated by the deranged workings of a damaged mind wallace struggled with addictions and mental illness and killed himself a couple years after infinite jest was published. A gargantuan, mindaltering comedy about the pursuit of happiness.
David foster wallaces infinite jest, is, without question, the best book ive ever read. Infinite jest chapter 1, year of glad, and chapter 2. Part of this difficulty is that wallace never really tells a story. Dec 19, 2016 it is designed as a resource for potential readers who fear infinite jest is plotless. On reading the first chapter of infinite jest sally allen. The length of infinite jest should not be an obstacle to finding pleasure in it. Books similar to infinite jest goodreads share book.
Equal parts philosophical quest and screwball comedy, infinite jest bends every rule of fiction without sacrificing for a moment its own entertainment value. But if you are seeking something other, then this book will not disappoint. Simply click on the clue posted on new york times crossword on december 17 2017 and we will present you with the correct answer. Like most people, i count wallaces infinite jest as one of the best novels ive ever read. I am seated in an office, surrounded by heads and bodies. Why i cannot recommend the infinite jest audio book infinite jest i guess this is a first for me and ill get straight to the point. Whether its drugs, sex, or fame, the novels primary goal is to examine the need for these addictions and show that it is possible to addicted to addiction itself. Find books like infinite jest from the worlds largest community of readers. Published early in 1996, david foster wallaces remarkable novel infinite jest quickly acquired a tremendous level of notoriety for its then 33yearold author.
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