Adam's review
The Broom of the System
by David Foster Wallace
Adam's review
The Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace
Adam's review
rating:
recommended for: People who've read & enjoyed all of DFW's other books
As much as I enjoyed The Broom of the System, there were stretches of the novel in which I definitely felt like I was observing a young writer develop his voice, right there on the page in front of me. The seedlings that later developed into the masterpieces that are Infinite Jest, his short story compilations & his essays-- they're all there-- but in really nascent stages.
But, as with DFW's short stories, even those parts that don't *quite* make it are completely enjoyable to read. You kind of have to admire him for his outright creativity and his innovative storytelling ability, even when everything doesn't (in my opinion) add up to a complete, cohesive whole.
The book also suffers a teensy bit in that it was written in the 1980s and takes place in the not-too-distant future--- 1990. So in that, it feels a little bit dated. It's interesting to reflect how Wallace addresses the same issue very cleverly in Infinite Jest-- by creating an out & out, totally alternate...more
But, as with DFW's short stories, even those parts that don't *quite* make it are completely enjoyable to read. You kind of have to admire him for his outright creativity and his innovative storytelling ability, even when everything doesn't (in my opinion) add up to a complete, cohesive whole.
The book also suffers a teensy bit in that it was written in the 1980s and takes place in the not-too-distant future--- 1990. So in that, it feels a little bit dated. It's interesting to reflect how Wallace addresses the same issue very cleverly in Infinite Jest-- by creating an out & out, totally alternate...more
