The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
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Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#2show of hands, how many HN readers have tried to read Infinite Jest and never made it all the way thru?
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#3show of hands, how many HN readers have tried to read Infinite Jest and never made it all the way thru?
Heh, guilty, although I do get farther and farther each time. Last time I made it almost halfway before I stopped.
The issue is that I'm a "distracted reader" and tend to leave books half-finished. Unfortunately, the likelihood of this happening is a function of the book's length and density: if I can read it in a day or two, there's no time to get distracted, but Infinite Jest is both long and slow. Someday, though.
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#4show of hands, how many HN readers have tried to read Infinite Jest and never made it all the way thru?
I did.
I found it a very complex book densely packed with allusions obscure references. I didn't understand it completely. I plan revisit it someday after reading a synopsis (if my 200+ store of unread digital books will permit me :) )
The author of the article keeps referencing DFW's use of marijuana but stops short of condemning it. I think it's worth stating that it can not have helped his health.
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#5Has anyone made an easier to read online version of Infinite Jest? With pop up footnotes so you don't have to flip pages?
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#6show of hands, how many HN readers have tried to read Infinite Jest and never made it all the way thru?
I made it about 125 pages. I wanted to like it, but the endless digressions and footnotes wore me out.
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#7I wonder how the critical reception to The Pale King will evolve over time. In my opinion it's been a bit over-esteemed by fans of DFWs work. It really does feel incomplete, and not just in a Brothers Karamazov sort of way. It lacks a center of gravity, and I never really felt a strong connection with any of the characters. By the end of Infinite Jest the book had become something greater than the sum of its parts, and I didn't really feel the same thing happening with The Pale King.
The only part of the book that I feel comes close to the greatness of Infinite Jest is the 100-page 'As the world turns' chapter. But then, I don't think that chapter necessarily benefits from being a part of the book, and could just as easily have been published as a stand-alone piece.
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#8Has anyone made an easier to read online version of Infinite Jest? With pop up footnotes so you don't have to flip pages?
You might like a Kindle.
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#9If anyone is daunted by Infinite Jest but undaunted by the fad of hating DFW, definitely start with his books of essays & journalism. IMO they're a lot more rewarding and enjoyable than his novels.
I think E Unibus Pluram: Television and U.S. Fiction is essential reading. (PDF link: https://jsomers.net/DFW_TV.pdf)
Re: The Unfinished: David Foster Wallace’s Struggle to Surpass Infinite Jest (2009)
#10show of hands, how many HN readers have tried to read Infinite Jest and never made it all the way thru?
Infinite Jest is worth getting through. It's not easy or pleasant, but it's something I'll always remember vividly.