David Foster Wallace R.I.P.

McSweeney's ^ | September 20, 2008 | Darkwolf377

[Darkwolf377]

Below, we've begun a thread of memories of David Foster Wallace that will, we hope, be some kind of salve during this wretched and bewildering week. Remembering him, and hearing of his warmth, his realness, his generosity and incredible decency, from those who knew him well and those who only met him once, might dull the pain a bit and, at the very least, remind us all why he meant so much to the world.

[Darkwolf377]

While I am sure he was a big leftist, David Foster Wallace was a brilliant writer. His novel INFINITE JEST is, to me, unreadable (and I love Pynchon), but his essays on Americana included in two collections and in numerous magazines are among the most entertaining I've ever read. His piece on taking a Carnival cruise (republshed in A SUPPOSEDLY FUN THING I'LL NEVER DO AGAIN) kept me up all night until I finished reading it.

Wallace committed suicide recently, and the link takes you to a collection of reminiscences of him. A troubled soul, but a damned funny writer.

[DemforBush]

I struggled with Infinite Jest, though I enjoyed reading it. His essays were definitely his best work, though.

Sorry to see him go either way. It’s a loss to the writing world and it’s a real shame to see someone take their own life like that.

[Darkwolf377]

Yeah. I really enjoyed his piece on the making of Lost Highway—that’s how a movie article should be written. His short stories are great, btw.

[Dan Lacey]

[Darkwolf377]

I know this is a total cliche, but DFW would LOVE this piece! LOL!