Sam answers “I'm interested in reading DFW after...”

Matt asked this question about Oblivion:

I'm interested in reading DFW after hearing a lot about Infinite Jest and listening to a lot of interviews with him. However I'm not quite in the mood to tackle a 1000 page goliath of book (that IJ is supposedly meant to be) right now so I was considering buying Oblivion. What do any DFW fans think is the best place to start with his work?

Sam Mccallum There was a book which put forward essays first (A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, Consider The Lobster, This Is Water) then short stories (…moreThere was a book which put forward essays first (A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, Consider The Lobster, This Is Water) then short stories (Girl With Curious Hair, Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, Oblivion) and finally the novels starting with Infinite Jest. I've been doing this and it's been really enjoyable for the most part (Westward The Course Of Empire Takes Its Way was a slog) so I'd recommend that.(less)

flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more