The David Foster Wallace Reader

Summary

A selection of David Foster Wallace's life's work, introducing readers to his remarkable humor, kindness, sweeping intellect, and versatility as a writer.

The David Foster Wallace Reader is a compilation from one of the most original writers of our age, featuring selections of his brilliant fiction and nonfiction. For new readers, this is an accessible introduction to the pleasures of Wallace; for fans, a must-have best-of; and for teachers, an invaluable tool.

Astounding chapters from the novels The Broom of the System, Infinite Jest, and The Pale King are here, along with legendary stories including "The Depressed Person," "Good Old Neon," and his previously uncollected first story. This collection also features Wallace's essays delving into luxury ("A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again"), morality ("Consider the Lobster"), sports ("Roger Federer Both Flesh and Not"), literature, and the deep paradoxes of American life, plus reading lists from his life as a teacher.