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David Foster Wallace

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description David Foster Wallace Overview

David Foster Wallace (1962–2008) was an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer known for his complex, postmodern style and encyclopedic range of reference. His 1996 novel Infinite Jest, set in a near-future North America, became one of the most discussed American novels of the late twentieth century. He also published the story collection Brief Interviews with Hideous Men and essay collections including A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again. Wallace taught creative writing at Illinois State University and later at Pomona College, and received a MacArthur Fellowship in 1997.

help David Foster Wallace FAQ

What is Infinite Jest actually about?

The 1996 novel follows intersecting stories centered on the Enfield Tennis Academy and a nearby addiction-recovery house. Its plot involves a lethally entertaining film, a separatist conspiracy, competitive tennis, and characters struggling with addiction and isolation.

Why does Infinite Jest have so many endnotes?

Wallace uses hundreds of endnotes to add parallel scenes, technical detail, jokes, and information that changes how the main text is understood. Some notes contain substantial narrative material, so readers generally need to consult them rather than treat them as optional references.

Which David Foster Wallace book should someone read before Infinite Jest?

Many readers start with the essay collection A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again or the stories in Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. These shorter works introduce Wallace's humor, digressions, and interest in sincerity without requiring the commitment of Infinite Jest.

Was The Pale King finished by David Foster Wallace?

No. Wallace left the novel unfinished when he died in 2008, and editor Michael Pietsch assembled a version from his manuscripts and notes. The Pale King was published posthumously in 2011.