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Infinite Jest
Infinite Jest
Author: David Foster Wallace
With its baroque subplots, zany political satire, morbid, cerebral humor and astonishing range of cultural references, Wallace's brilliant but somewhat bloated dirigible of a second novel (after The Broom of the System) will appeal to steadfast readers of Pynchon and Gaddis. But few others will have the stamina for it. Set in an absurd ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780316921176
ISBN-10: 0316921173
Publication Date: 2/1/1997
Pages: 1,088
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 54

3.5 stars, based on 54 ratings
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 104
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Infinite Jest on
Helpful Score: 3
Until his recent death, David Foster Wallace was a writer of rare talent and infinite potential. Infinite Jest is equal parts philosophical quest and screwball comedy and I'd highly reccommend it to any reader who might enjoy a unique approach to story-telling.
reviewed Infinite Jest on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A book with an interesting concept that takes almost 1000 pages where 500 probably would have been fine. Perhaps others will be entertained by the scattershot narrative, but it just doesn't tie together enough for me.
reviewed Infinite Jest on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. A difficult read for sure...and don't skip the end notes! There are ideas in this book that are still with me today and probably coming true as we speak. The book is written in so many voices, and reads a lot like we experience life...in odd, seemingly unrelated bits....but as I read on I made connections and the story "became". There's several stories going on actually but they do intersect. A book I'd love to read again but not sure if I'd make it through. Non-linear, and both serious and funny. All this written by a 20-something genius. I give it a 5 star rating. Not for the faint of heart readers. It is not a casual read, but it's excellent.
reviewed Infinite Jest on
Helpful Score: 1
An unbelievable work of post-modern fiction. It felt as though I had ended a serious romantic relationship when I finished this 900 pager (WITH ENDNOTES!)

Most people I know cannot/have not gotten through the full book but if you can make it it's extremely rewarding :)
bnjmnprto avatar reviewed Infinite Jest on
Helpful Score: 1
The novels Pynchonesque elements...feel rather willed and secondhand. They are impressive in the manner of a precocious childs performance at a dinner party, and, in the same way, ultimately irritating: they seem motivated, mostly, by a desire to show off.
Read All 8 Book Reviews of "Infinite Jest"

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