Matt's review
Infinite Jest: A Novel by David Foster Wallace
Wow, What an undertaking. It's not so much the sheer size of this novel, but it's Pynchon-esque language and pacing tend to slow one down a bit.
The beginning of the novel (i.e. the first 300 pages) can be somewhat confusing. Wallace introduces characters without really explaining or foreshadowing what their possible roles may be. Also, the novel is set in a sort of "alternate future" and Wallace doesn't explain any of what the references are in this future until the middle of the novel. For example, Instead of years being numerically named in the Anno Domini Common Era tradition, They have funny names such as: "The year of the Depends Adult Undergarment." It is later revealed that this is because the government sold naming rights to time. Catchy, brilliant but confusing.
Once the ball is rolling, the novel really takes off however. Each character is vivid and engaging, the humor dry and ironic. Wallace paints a pretty vivid picture of Life in Boston.
The novel ...more
The beginning of the novel (i.e. the first 300 pages) can be somewhat confusing. Wallace introduces characters without really explaining or foreshadowing what their possible roles may be. Also, the novel is set in a sort of "alternate future" and Wallace doesn't explain any of what the references are in this future until the middle of the novel. For example, Instead of years being numerically named in the Anno Domini Common Era tradition, They have funny names such as: "The year of the Depends Adult Undergarment." It is later revealed that this is because the government sold naming rights to time. Catchy, brilliant but confusing.
Once the ball is rolling, the novel really takes off however. Each character is vivid and engaging, the humor dry and ironic. Wallace paints a pretty vivid picture of Life in Boston.
The novel ...more
