[close] David Foster Wallace is the award winning author of several novels, more than a few short stories, and numerous articles, as well as being a college professor. Still in his 40's, David has been called one of America's most important young authors and is often compared to Thomas Pynchon, though he tends to shrug off that association. He published his first novel, The Broom of the System, when he was only 22. He is most widely known, however, for his epic (1000+ page) novel, Infinite Jest, published in 1996 and critically acclaimed by critics and readers alike. Topics covered in Wallace's work are wide ranging, but he seems to have a special interest in American culture, addictions, and excess. Ironically, because of his edgy body of work and his public persona, DFW has gained a cult following and become somewhat of a celebrity himself.