#277 | Arduous, Repetitive, Digressive, and Insanely Long—But Why Should You Read ‘Infinite Jest’ by David Foster Wallace?

🎙 Douglas Vigliotti offers an in-depth review of David Foster Wallace’s novel "Infinite Jest,” discussing the book’s complex structure, disparate narratives, and major themes of addiction, isolation, entertainment, and societal critique. Vigliotti shares his personal experience tackling its challenging length, prose, and style, and highlights the novel’s enduring relevance for today, noting that perseverance in reading it might be central to its core message. He admits it was probably the most difficult book he’s ever read, but encourages men to give it a go if they feel compelled to do so.✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.📚 Learn more about "Aristotle for Novelists" at AristotleforNovelists.com or READ IT NOW!⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read.🗣️ If you liked this episode, listen to episode #233 | Morning, Boys. How’s the Water?—The Life-Changing Importance of David Foster Wallace’s 2005 Commencement Speech ‘This Is Water’!💥 TOPICS COVERED IN THE EPISODE:Introduction to the Episode (00:09) - Douglas introduces the podcast, Infinite Jest, and promotes the companion newsletter.About David Foster Wallace (01:19) - Brief background on the author, his influence, and previous podcast episode featuring him.Plot Overview & Narrative Structure (02:18) - Summary of Infinite Jest’s three main narratives and how they interconnect.Themes & Societal Critique (03:36) - Discussion of the book’s themes: addiction, entertainment, isolation, and societal commentary.Genre & Authorial Intent (04:58) - Exploration of the book’s tone, genre, and Wallace’s unconventional approach to storytelling.Challenges of Reading Infinite Jest (06:12 - Description of the book’s length, density, endnotes, and the difficulty of reading it.Personal Reading Experience (07:26) - Douglas shares his struggle reading the book and why he persisted.Style & Structure Reflection (08:50) - Analysis of how the book’s style mirrors the human mind and supports its themes.Quotes & Final Thoughts (10:01) - Douglas shares key quotes from the book and reflects on their meaning.Outro & Podcast/Book Promotion (11:06) - Closing remarks, ways to connect, and promotion of Douglas’s own book and the podcast newsletter.

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