Book review: Both Flesh and Not, By David Foster Wallace
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Readers intrigued by the late author but deterred by the sheer bulk of Infinite Jest or The Pale King should enjoy this nursery-slope of his selected essays. Not that DFW ever lets himself off the hook.
Pieces on Roger Federer or the US Open will bristle with as many cliché-busting ideas as discourses on storytelling in maths, or the slide from "fun" to "vanity and fear" in literary careers.
Slangy, intimate, profound, DFW cared deeply about the integrity of his life and thought. In 1988, he hoped that "the good stuff can't help but rise". His did, at least.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments