manoj3's review
5.0
(I read only the title essay, I might come back and read the rest of it later.)
How can someone write a cruise experience which is so relatable, it is clearly a work of a genius. There are so many relatable experiences described in such detail that nothing seems irrelevant.
The language is a little tough read which easer later but is nevertheless rewarding. Footnotes, ranging from a length of a character to 2-page, are absolutely fun to read. I missed one of the footnotes and it turned out to be important later so I had to go back and read it, so do not miss the footnotes.
How can someone write a cruise experience which is so relatable, it is clearly a work of a genius. There are so many relatable experiences described in such detail that nothing seems irrelevant.
The language is a little tough read which easer later but is nevertheless rewarding. Footnotes, ranging from a length of a character to 2-page, are absolutely fun to read. I missed one of the footnotes and it turned out to be important later so I had to go back and read it, so do not miss the footnotes.
ferris_mx's review against another edition
4.0
Such a brilliant writer and I miss his presence on this earth. I lolled several times during this essay. Despite the fact that DFW's misanthropy came through clearly, more clearly than usual, and sometimes seemed a bit misogynistic until one remembers that he just didn't like people, and some of those people were women.
robdabear's review
5.0
In searching for a more accessible introduction of DFW before venturing to read Infinite Jest, I picked up this book of essays mostly just curious about its namesake, originally “Shipping Out” from Harper’s Magazine, and was pleasantly surprised to find I enjoyed every piece in the book. This man truly was an incredible writer, so much so I lack the many obscure words he would probably use to describe the writing’s greatness. It’s hilarious, thought provoking, and still stands up fairly well today. My favorite of the essays was indeed “A Supposedly Fun Thing...”, having experienced the strange sadness invoked by a luxury cruise myself, but all the others were equally engaging and entertaining and made me think of weird things that always seem at the back of my mind but never explicitly thought of. I cannot wait to read more of DFW’s work.
moonshake's review
5.0
yeah! yes! fuck yes. this is my shit. animated sincerity is my shit. being funny and not condescending is my shit. being condescending and apologizing for it is my shit. bye.
jessrad505's review
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
Just not my style of writing. Pretentious and very slow.
gre_books's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
Questo libro è super divertente, è molto di compagnia ed è perfetto da leggere al fine di rilassarsi e farsi qualche risata. Lo scrittore cattura personalità che tutti almeno una volta abbiamo incontrato e lo fa in maniera esilarante. Adorato.
earlyandalone's review
4.0
As usual, DFW's essays are erudite, hilarious, and provocative. His work is the rare work that makes you think of things you encounter in your everyday life in a completely different, and often unexpected, way. I found this collection, moreso than in Consider the Lobster, to be very personal, in the way that DFW gives you a look at himself, his thoughts, reactions, and experiences. He comes across as goofy, awkward, funny, and eccentric--in other words, completely lovable.
I wish I could give a 4 1/2 star rating. The essays I liked were 5-star essays, without a doubt, but there were a few in the collection that just didn't capture my interest in the same way.
I wish I could give a 4 1/2 star rating. The essays I liked were 5-star essays, without a doubt, but there were a few in the collection that just didn't capture my interest in the same way.
siddharthagolu's review
4.0
I've always had a weird fascination with David Foster Wallace since the moment I first listened to "This is Water". The way he so astutely and brilliantly confronts the everyday banalities and does it in such a hilarious fashion that you sometimes don't know whether he's acting funny or simply telling the truth. This collection of essays would be a good introduction to his works, albeit you can skip some parts.