Sal 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?

Sal Very late to this response, but I thought I'd respond for anyone still following this conversation or considering reading some DFW. My recommendation …moreVery late to this response, but I thought I'd respond for anyone still following this conversation or considering reading some DFW. My recommendation is to start with his non-fiction--Consider The Lobster or A Supposedly Fun Thing... I think that's where he did some of his best, most accessible writing. DFW's fiction is very dense, often touching on a variety of subjects (like most things he writes) with a very intelligent hand.

The Broom of the System is very good, and, while it's great as a work of fiction, it's even better if you have a little understanding of the philosophies that influenced the work. His fiction is similarly very good, but it's also dense. It's unlikely to be like anything you've read before. When you complete a DFW work, you feel accomplished.

Nonfiction ---> Short stories ---> Novels seems to be one way to go, as it's sort of like a gradual immersion into his style and work.(less)

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