David Foster Wallace ... where to begin?

[Sophia]

I didn't have a clue about what to advise, so I did a bit of research. This source - http://bookriot.com/2011/10/27/readin... - says that

To the casual reader, David Foster Wallace may seem intimidating. The words “postmodern” or “experimental” or “preposterously intelligent” are never too far from descriptions of his work. Those are all true. But I’m here to tell you DFW is actually the most accessible “difficult” writer you’ll ever read. And easily the most insightful. And probably one of the funniest, too. He’s my favorite writer of all time, and I think you’ll love him. And so here’s a suggested DFW reading pathway

I didn't know about this source when I plunged straight in with the novels, starting with 'The Pale King'. I'm now partway through 'Infinite Jest'. I was intrigued to know what all the fuss was about! I guess you'll either like him a lot, or not at all. Let us know what you think.

Oh, yes I also read a biography '(Every Love Story is a Ghost Story'), which, though I didn't rate it that highly, enabled me to appreciate what Wallace was trying to do with his work.

[Casceil]

The only David Foster Wallace I have read is Infinite Jest. It is a very impressive book, but I am not sure I would have made it through the whole 1000+ pages if I had not been reading it with a group. The Brain Pain group read it over ten weeks at the end of 2012. I believe they keep their threads open indefinitely. If and when you decide to read Infinite Jest, you should definitely check that discussion. The moderator gives a summary of each week's reading at the beginning of the week, and I found that enormously helpful in understanding how the different parts of the book fit together. It's an easy book to get lost in.

[Ellen]

I agree that DFW is a (very) major artist. I also find him intimidating. I just finished my first read of Infinite Jest & loved it. I tried to read it last year but failed. This year, I participated in a group read & found IJ just very difficult (although rewarding, hilarious, terrifically well-written, sad, and so on indefinitely) but not impossible.

That being said, I'm glad I read some of his short stories first. I recommend Broom of the System & Oblivion: Stories. I also recommend Consider the Lobster & Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Any of these will give you a sense of Wallace's prose, his rhythm and style and density of thought.

If you find you like him, I definitely recommend you read Infinite Jest-it's his major work, and a major text of our time (I think).

Good luck - and have fun!

[Julie]

I attempted to read a couple of his essays once but they weren't interesting me, so I have yet to attempt any of his fiction. I know a bunch of people who have read Infinite Jest. The general consensus among them is that it can be difficult to get through but it is very good.

[Lily]

A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again by David Foster Wallace.

As a place to start, the book above was recommended by a goodreads column I accessed a few years ago that was reading a fair amount of Wallace. I have been appreciative of that enjoyable recommendation, although I still have Infinite Jest and The Pale King to take on.

[Sophia]

Carrie wrote: "I was hoping to find a Cormac McCarthy guide, as he is another writer I plan to tackle this year. "

Now you're really talking!

[Terry]

I started with infinite jest. It is tough in places, but never for too long before you reach another passage of sheer genius. It's my favourite novel bar none. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men is unbelievable too, although I found a couple of individual stories unreadable. The genius ones, again, more than make up for it.

[Confiteor]

Yes, start with Infinite Jest. Also seconding Terry's recommendation of Brief Interviews with Hiedeous Men.

[Carl]

Favorite author. EVER. I started crying when I finished TPK because while reading his material a second or third time is highly pleasurable, I loved that long run of knowing that there was more DFW to soak up. Makes me cry right now. I dream that they'll find some trunk of his material some day, but I think I know that is not so realistic. When I read DFW, I always get the feeling that he is sitting in the rom with me, casually spreading brilliant observations.

[[deleted user]]

I was sort of irrationally against DFW on the basic principle that so many people were freaking out about how great he was. Then I read this, and I was immediately converted:

http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/...

[Carl]

Yes, that is an incredible piece. It is even more sad that he was unable to follow his own advice in how to survive in the treacherous world we live in.

[Julie]

Carrie wrote: "Book Riot's Reading Pathways looks like an amazing resource for other writers, too. I was hoping to find a Cormac McCarthy guide, as he is another writer I plan to tackle this year. ..."

I loved The Road!

[Terry]

Great link Rebecca, thank you.

[Mattia]

I may be *slightly* late ^^ but I just wanted to say that you've chosen the perfect beginning, Carrie ;) A Supposedly is a wonderful essay at so many levels, is incredibly funny and incredibly deep - and it reads as a short story, a masterful one.
You're very lucky. You're going to meet and chat with one of the best authors of our time :). Don't be scared of Infinite Jest's size, once you've made it through the first 200, maybe 300 pages you'll get suck into the book and be thankful that is so long ^^. While if you'd rather read something clever, deep, but a bit easier, This is Water is another collection of (mostly) early short stories. Hugely enjoyable.
Good luck with your DFW experience ^^!

Oh, and since I'm here, if you're still interested in some McCarthy suggestions I'd say you should begin with No Country for Old Men or The Road ^^ (The Road is slightly easier, but in some ways (not completely, not at all - just in some ways) is sort of an "exception" considering McCarthy's production).

[Sophia]

'No Country for Old Men' is outstanding!