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deaconlenny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
It’s hard to pick a favorite from this collection: the impassioned and politically-charged recounting of Grammatical Warfare masquerading as book review? The elegantly simple ethical quandaries posed by the titular essay? The exhaustively observational, partially “behind-enemy-lines” journalism from McCain 2000’s campaign trail or from the contemporary right’s talk radio’s dark genesis? DFW’s sharp wit is deployed here not only in his accustomed role as social commentator but, in the case of some more than others, as a weapon for more withering critique. It’s an interesting contrast in my mind to see his pen wielded with ferocity, as his trademark compassionate Socratic methodology lends itself more here to something approaching condescension. I’m partially inclined to chalk it up to the generational attrition that accumulates in adulthood, but his writing is too incisive and too smart to fall into any trope too heavily or singularly. The thing that remains is just a lot of good fucking questions, posed well and with empathy. In any case, I wish he were here to eviscerate my undoubtedly poor use of SWE in this post.
caseyaonso's review against another edition
5.0
my replacement glasses finally came in so i could finish this! (trying to read dfw’s notorious footnote yapping while holding a book a cm from my face simply wasnt the loveliest reading experience lmfao). i know he gets shit for it but i actually enjoy the footnotes. maybe it’s because the pacing of the interjections feels conversational to me rather than annoying but i can understand why it wouldnt be everyone’s cup of tea (the host essay especially jdjkfjs the arrows were sending me
bansolitude's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
greta_macionyte's review against another edition
4.0
Due to the excessive use of footnotes, some narratives are hard to follow, and one even might feel lost. Nevertheless, each and every one of these essays is like an unexpected intellectual road trip - exciting, thought-provoking, and you end up somewhere completely different than you'd anticipated. I was surprised at how relevant his work stayed throughout the years. It's like DFW understood what problems would become major issues in Western societies two decades later - from increased porn consumption to ethical dietary choices to politics and the dangers of politized media.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
If only it didn't take me several months from the day I started this book to finish it!
David Foster Wallace is a unique, and rarely trustworthy voice. His commentary is human and not entirely void of bias--thankfully--but he is a person whose perspective I would rely on for any topic or issue save quantum physics or improving upon my intimate hygiene routine. He treats every viewpoint with unreal fairness and kindness, all the while challenging them in the most pointed way.
I wish his essays remained fresh in my mind, but most of his insights have left me.
DFW was doing something all his own, processing the world and connecting things in the most unusual manner. He made the most mundane and banal (note: I have never read anybody who has used this word more than DFW) subjects as vehicles for talking about the most profound questions we wrestle with--or, should wrestle with.
I look forward to reading more of his writings, and every time I do, I will quietly scream against the cosmos for allowing his voice to go silent. Another tormented sage taken too soon. If you haven't read DFW, do it now. Right now. I will never read, write, or think the same again. Near the end of his life he voiced his constant fear that the world would realize he was a fraud or impostor, that he wasn't the genius they claimed he was. He is the least of us who should be troubled by this. He is the real deal.
David Foster Wallace is a unique, and rarely trustworthy voice. His commentary is human and not entirely void of bias--thankfully--but he is a person whose perspective I would rely on for any topic or issue save quantum physics or improving upon my intimate hygiene routine. He treats every viewpoint with unreal fairness and kindness, all the while challenging them in the most pointed way.
I wish his essays remained fresh in my mind, but most of his insights have left me.
DFW was doing something all his own, processing the world and connecting things in the most unusual manner. He made the most mundane and banal (note: I have never read anybody who has used this word more than DFW) subjects as vehicles for talking about the most profound questions we wrestle with--or, should wrestle with.
I look forward to reading more of his writings, and every time I do, I will quietly scream against the cosmos for allowing his voice to go silent. Another tormented sage taken too soon. If you haven't read DFW, do it now. Right now. I will never read, write, or think the same again. Near the end of his life he voiced his constant fear that the world would realize he was a fraud or impostor, that he wasn't the genius they claimed he was. He is the least of us who should be troubled by this. He is the real deal.