Infinite Jest – David Foster Wallace discussion
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Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
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Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
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Jason, Himself
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Feb 14, 2013 06:25AM
Not only did DFW write one of the longest books in the English language, but he was also a masterful short story teller. I've read a few so far from this collection—including “The Depressed Person,” which is one of the most insightful depictions of depression I've ever encountered—and so but therefore I'd like to open up discussion to his short stories as supplemental reading, should anyone be interested.
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How are his short stories, Jason?
Honestly? I think they're brilliant. I like them better than I like his long form.
I'm glad you are reading Brief Interviews & loving it cos you didn't feel much love for IJ...I tell anyone who'd care to listen,to approach DFW sideways through his non-fiction & short stories first & then attempt IJ.
I liked most of the interviews & stories in this collection & loved Forever Overhead,The Depressed Person,Tri-Stan: I Sold Sissee Nar to Ecko,Octet & Death is not the End.
Ofcourse there were a few stories that I just couldn't get!
Have you chosen this particular story cos of the thematic link with IJ?
Here's a relevant quote from Wallace:
“This story ["The Depressed Person"] was the most painful thing I ever wrote. It's about narcissism, which is a part of depression. The character has traits of myself. I really lost friends while writing on that story, I became ugly and unhappy and just yelled at people. The cruel thing with depression is that it's such a self-centered illness - Dostoevsky shows that pretty good in his "Notes from Underground". The depression is painful, you're sapped/consumed by yourself; the worse the depression, the more you just think about yourself and the stranger and repellent you appear to others.”
An article in the Rolling Stone mentions:
"One of his best short stories is about Elizabeth Wurtzel.
After being rejected by the Prozac Nation author, Wallace wrote the 1998 story "The Depressed Person," basing the title character – the most unpleasant person on Earth – on her."
This article mentions two of my fav stories in the Brief Interviews collection:
http://www.salon.com/2012/11/26/david...
I agree about the narcissism in "The Depressed Person." At first, it was almost comical how screwed up the narrator is, until it starts to dawn on you (the reader) how viciously cyclical this depressed way of thinking is. It felt like being trapped in a circular hallway whose doors keep closing as you approach them.
Wow, you two are very insightful! I really appreciate it, thank you!
Another question: would you recommend reading some of Wallace's shorter works before tackling the mammoth which is Infinite Jest?
Dustin wrote: "Another question: would you recommend reading some of Wallace's shorter works before tackling the mammoth which is Infinite Jest?"I guess Mala would support that recommendation (based on her message 4), but I don't have any preference personally. I suppose you could start with either.
Jason wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Another question: would you recommend reading some of Wallace's shorter works before tackling the mammoth which is Infinite Jest?"I guess Mala would support that recommendation (ba..."
Oh, all right. Thank you, Jason!
@Dustin: Well,I say that cos 5yrs back,I had started IJ & then left it around page 400 or so- I just couldn't find any ref for addiction,depression & tennis,oh god- just couldn't take it.Now being older & hopefully wiser & also being familiar with his writing style & quirks through his shorter fiction,non-fiction & innumerable interviews & articles,I felt confident & genuinely interested enough to give it the focus & attention it demanded & the text just opened itself to me!
Lots of ppl say that if you've already read the pomo masters like Gaddis,Pynchon,Barth,then tackling Wallace would be kids' play,so there!
I really appreciate the feedback, thank you.The more I think about it, I think I'd like to familiarize myself with his style by reading some of Wallace's interviews and short stories first.
I aldo recommend the pale king, dfws onfinished novel. At the point it ends, it seems about one third finished, bit gets you used to his jumping around from here to there style. I loved it, read it before IJ
Jerry wrote: "I aldo recommend the pale king, dfws onfinished novel. At the point it ends, it seems about one third finished, bit gets you used to his jumping around from here to there style. I loved it, read it..."Thank you, Jerry. I'm very intrigued. And surprised that its so highly regarded, seeing as how it's unfinished. That's impressive!
Sharing a link to this wonderful early story by DFW,with thanks to friend Enrique:The Planet Trillaphon As It Stands in Relation to the Bad Thing.
http://quomodocumque.files.wordpress....
This will make a good companion piece to The Depressed Person.
Thank you so much for sharing, Mala!:) It is VERY appreciated!
Very nice! I am going to read The Planet... tomorrow.I am a big fan of Oblivion. I picked it up as a Wallace test drive before committing to reading IJ. As soon as I was exposed to snack cakes named "Felonies!", I was ready to go the distance.
Elizabeth wrote: "Very nice! I am going to read The Planet... tomorrow.I am a big fan of Oblivion. I picked it up as a Wallace test drive before committing to reading IJ. As soon as I was exposed to snack cakes n..."
:)
I think I'll try some of his shorter work before tackling Infinite Jest, as well, Elizabeth.
I just read Fun things to do in Summer... The story about DFW cruise ship experience. One of the funniest stories and hideously funny observations I've ever read. Easy to read, not laborious or over structured sentences and rarely a footnote in sight!
Shmuli wrote: "I just read Fun things to do in Summer... The story about DFW cruise ship experience. One of the funniest stories and hideously funny observations I've ever read. Easy to read, not laborious or ove..."Sounds great! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Shmuli.:)
