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Grand Sorcerer
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David Foster Wallace dead at 46
If you love postmodern literature, as I do, then you recognize the name David Foster Wallace.
His most important work was a huge novel, a smorgasbord of language and satire called Infinite Just. It is witty, funny, difficult, full of life. He committed suicide Sept. 12, but I am only now learning about it. (In Peru, it's hard to keep up with the literature of my country.) Apparently (according to the news reports), he suffered from depression. I was so taken by his work that I almost taught Infinite Jest at Miami University. My plan was to make this the only book they would read. However, upon careful consideration, I'm glad I didn't teach it to those first-year students, as this is a difficult and LONG novel, one not well-suited to the attention span of the average 18/19 year old student. I remember the first time I hefted the tome that is Infinite Jest and then started to read it. I immediately fell in love with the language. For me, it was a book that arrived at the right time in my life, as did Johnny Got His Gun (Dalton Trumbo), Edwin Mullhouse: The Life and Death of an American Writer 1943-1954 (Steven Millhauser), Catch-22 (Joseph Heller) Executioner's Song (Norman Mailer), and The Rosy Crucifixion Trilogy (Henry Miller). I am saddened by the death of David Foster Wallace and will miss the genius evident in his best work. Don |
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Grand Sorcerer
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I caught this on the io9 blog a few day's a go. I can't remember if they were referring to his suicide, or referring to the size of the novel, Infinite Jest, or perhaps both in the same blogpost, but both bits of information piqued my curiosity, and put the novel on my radar. I suspect I was mostly drawn to the suicide, as I concede that there is a probably unhealthy...I don't want to say "attraction"...perhaps "interest", in those of a literary bent who commit to suicide. It is deeply saddening, deeply disturbing, and deeply fear-inducing to me, to know that the "black dog" can drive such thoughts before it.
Dr. Drib, if you've time...why should I read Infinite Jest? (note, it is not likely you'll have to be too elaborate or convincing, as I'm halfway there). Cheers, Marc |
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MR Drone
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Inifinte Jest IS WAY TOO LONG> IT does have interesting parts.. but it gets bogged down in several areas. YES Wallace was interesting... but a bit a Legend in his own lunchtime. Yes, he killed himself.. there are many a good writer out there.
C. M. Coetze for example.................... Quote:
Last edited by hidari; 10-12-2008 at 07:47 PM. |
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Grand Sorcerer
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I know a J.M Coetzee (well, being Australian, I would ![]() Cheers, Marc |
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Technogeezer
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Yes, it is long. On a value per page count it is very high. The writing is high quality without putting the reader down. There is no attempt to show-off his power with words. He tells a story that draws you in and you go willingly. When I first picked up the book I gave it fifty pages to prove itself. All too quickly I had only that remaining. There's a copy on the shelf a few books down from Kesey.
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Holy S**T!!!
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I am very sorry that Mr. Wallace had an illness that ultimately caused his death. I have known many people over the years who have suffered from clinical depression and it is a hideous and hard to treat disease. I would not term any of them (even the ones who took suicide as their route out of the pain) as "weak." I hope that you opinion of his literary work is somewhat less ignorant than your opinion of his life and death. |
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Enjoying the show....
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Its hard to explain, but have you seen those ads on tv for depression meds where the announcer says "if you notice an increased feeling of depression, or thoughts of suicide, please call you doctor immediately" Well, when you are in a deep depression, you can't call anyone. Its like you are frozen in a deep dark hole. And some meds make it worse! I"m lucky,. mine have never been really bad like clinically depressed people, and I've only had a few bouts, but I've tasted enough of depression to know the 'attraction' (for lack of a better word) of suicide. As Ricky says, the worst kind is a brain chemical imbalance. You have no control, and you cannot 'talk yourself out of it' Please do not think I am taking you to task. I simply want to point out the error of your thinking. |
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MR Drone
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Twas not aware of his Disease. I stand corrected.
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MR Drone
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Ok. Thank you for the explanation. I was not aware of his Condition to that extent. I edited out. Hopefully that will make everybody happy.
your idiot, hidari Quote:
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Enjoying the show....
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Hopefully, you will never, ever have to understand just how horrible depression can be. When I was young I never understood why some people would do this either. |
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Holy S**T!!!
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Enjoying the show....
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#13 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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![]() I frequently have significant respect for people who hold a strong position on something, and then show willingness to change or even reverse that opinion based on new evidence, and to do so before a public forum, such as you have above. The gods know I find it hard to change my own opinion sometimes. So, I don't think you're an idiot, and you should stop thinking so too. ![]() ![]() Cheers, Marc Last edited by montsnmags; 10-12-2008 at 08:18 PM. |
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Grand Sorcerer
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I might have to give Infinite Jest a go - though, come to think about it, I don't even know what it's about (I'll just go Google now ![]() Cheers, Marc |
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