toasavt's review against another edition
4.5
gonna out myself as a certified annoying person (dfw enjoyer). how much of this book is normal basic human condition stuff phrased wittily and oddly specifically, and how much of it is dfw digging a spoon into my skull and plopping bits of my brain onto a plate?? either way resonated w this to an uncanny extent. the bits i didn’t understand were physically painful to sift thru, but the bits i did articulated things i felt all my life but could never pinpoint so fucking precisely. am willing to give this a revisit later, will get a lot more out of the more cryptic stories i think. can totally see myself rereading in like my 20s and giving it 5 stars. wish i could chuck the depressed person story at my own face like 2 yearz ago lmao.
its kinda funny how much understanding into the female condition (not saying it’s a commendably large level in itself, just in the context) this book shows for a supposed/stereotyped mysoginist lit bro type text. also helped by the fact dfw wrote this book w female reader in mind prob, which is also idk unnerving. while i appreciate his use of self aware yet subtly to them obviously to everyone else hypocritical ‘hideous men’ as an effective tool, it does strike me as a bit insecurity projecting and masturbatory, especially given dfws own dichotomy of excessive self awareness and abuse of women? cannot gloss over this bc it obviously paints the satire as inherently self critiquing and what have you.
its kinda funny how much understanding into the female condition (not saying it’s a commendably large level in itself, just in the context) this book shows for a supposed/stereotyped mysoginist lit bro type text. also helped by the fact dfw wrote this book w female reader in mind prob, which is also idk unnerving. while i appreciate his use of self aware yet subtly to them obviously to everyone else hypocritical ‘hideous men’ as an effective tool, it does strike me as a bit insecurity projecting and masturbatory, especially given dfws own dichotomy of excessive self awareness and abuse of women? cannot gloss over this bc it obviously paints the satire as inherently self critiquing and what have you.
dorota33's review against another edition
C’è stato tempo in tutto questo tempo. Non puoi uccidere il tempo col cuore. Tutto richiede tempo. Le api si devono muovere rapidissime per restare immobili. Ehi ragazzino Ehi ragazzina tutto bene. Sulla lingua ti sbocciano fiori di metallo. Non c’è più tempo per pensare. Ora che c’è tempo non hai tempo. Ehi. Ok
idenkimifah's review against another edition
4.0
My introduction to David foster Wallace and God what an introduction it was.
Foster's unconventional style forces the reader to closely examine each text. It requires focus, it begs for your attention so much so that if you're not careful, you might miss the whole point of the story.
Where Raymond carver uses simple words to make a plain snapshot of people's lives seem appealing enough, Mr DFW packs a lot of densely strung together words that although seem tedious at first glance, arrive at the point.
The book is also very self-aware, which I found a bit hilarious, like with octet where he describes where he how the chapter was supposed to turn out but then takes this strange route.
The best story in her is THE DEPRESSED PERSON.
It's serious but there are subtle playful underbelly tones which come together to form this hauntingly visuals.
Foster's unconventional style forces the reader to closely examine each text. It requires focus, it begs for your attention so much so that if you're not careful, you might miss the whole point of the story.
Where Raymond carver uses simple words to make a plain snapshot of people's lives seem appealing enough, Mr DFW packs a lot of densely strung together words that although seem tedious at first glance, arrive at the point.
The book is also very self-aware, which I found a bit hilarious, like with octet where he describes where he how the chapter was supposed to turn out but then takes this strange route.
The best story in her is THE DEPRESSED PERSON.
It's serious but there are subtle playful underbelly tones which come together to form this hauntingly visuals.
hlparis's review against another edition
2.0
This book was really hard for me to swallow. It dripped with misogyny and sexism. It was disgusting. And, yes, I understand that it was the point. But I made the mistake of listening anyway.
Men might enjoy this, especially if subscribe to some of the disrespect of women that is perpetuated in these interviews. But I would never recommend it.
Men might enjoy this, especially if subscribe to some of the disrespect of women that is perpetuated in these interviews. But I would never recommend it.
notcharlottete's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide and Toxic relationship
autumnaabram's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chad_vinny's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0