Impossible to use without Chapter Names

please fix chapter metadata or at least include a pdf attachment with the relationship between name of the essay to chapter

25 people found this helpful

Great for teachers!

What a treasure! I teach David Foster Wallace's nonfiction to my international baccalaureate classes. Students read the essays one by one and then we discuss them in Socratic circles or as a whole group. However, I realized that my students could easily make an audible account and use their "freebie" to purchase this book. Even my most reluctant readers, the ones I thought weren't really interested in Wallace, have been turned on to his wit, his humor, his irony, and--most of all--his brilliant structural acumen. Thank you, DFW, for helping to inspire my young writers.

14 people found this helpful

It takes a lot for me to be spellbound

I've been listening to books on audible for almost 4 years. Lots of good books; some I didn't like. Some really good ones narrated by the authors. This author was new to me and I've been spellbound at his craft and facility in using the English language to communicate things in an entirely original way. For part of the book I felt that I was experiencing a play because the narrator so got into the plot he used props to enhance his performance. Wow.

12 people found this helpful

The nonfiction is the best

David Foster Wallace was a brilliant writer. His command of English is as good as it gets and this tome (48 hours and 45 minutes in Audible) is often difficult but in the end rewarding. The fiction is particularly strange and the theme of characters who are deeply psychologically flawed is both ironic and at times tedious. He is a great fan of irony, the ultimate being his struggles with psychiatric issues that plagued and ultimately ended his life. That being said, it is mentioned that at some point Mr. Wallace decided he could no longer write fiction. That is when he really shines. His essays on the Illinois State Fair and taking a seven day luxury cruise are hilarious. His writing on English and literature is superb. His essay on Roger Federer at the end is perhaps the best piece of writing about tennis or any sport. It is unfortunate that the editors decided not to use his other fascinating ruminations on tennis. Yes, this is way too much for an "introduction" to David Foster Wallace, but is a pleasure to hear (or read) a master wordsmith at the top of his game.

11 people found this helpful

Giant book full of great DFW things.

What did you love best about The David Foster Wallace Reader?

It's nearly a compendium on DFW. Many things I read, I was otherwise unaware of.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved some of the stories I'd never read from books I don't have. Loved revisiting some great scenes from Infinite Jest, and hearing favorite old essays and new.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. This book is so big, that I actually needed the help of the physical book as well, to finish up.

Any additional comments?

The loving and exhaustive manner employed by the editor, his staff, family, and everyone involved in this huge project lends an additional layer of love to some of the works included in this great collection. In some cases, the editors notes say more about David than the pieces themselves, which naturally stand on their own. This is a work of love and care, as well as a great (and vast) pasture for anyone inclined to browse in the writings of David Foster Wallace.

10 people found this helpful

Like listening to Mozart...or Led Zepplin

David Foster Wallace is a as good a writer as I've ever read, maybe the best. This collection of pieces of his work, some fiction, some not, could work as a sampler for someone who has never read or heard his work. Most of the narrators are good...but Robert Petkoff narrates Mr Wallace's work with a style and tone, that, to these old ears, is like listening to the best music I ever heard. Although I tend to like Mr. Wallace's fiction better than his essays, ("Infinite Jest" is the best novel I have ever read/heard) listening to 40 plus hours of The DFW Reader, seemed like being on one of those carnival rides that you wish would last for hours and is over in seconds. And, you want to right back and do it, again.

10 people found this helpful

No chapter titles or TOC

As someone else has noted, there are no chapter titles or table of contents. I’m not normally one to complain but this is terribly egregious. Of all books not to have chapter titles! There is 48 hours of audio and hundreds of chapters. I just went from chapter 5 to 6 and had no clue they were both from the same book.

Come on…

9 people found this helpful

The Decisive Collection

a bit of a slog, but if you make it through you'll understand why DFW is one of the greatest writers of our generation.

8 people found this helpful

Long, verbose acounts without a story to tell

Much of the book is random assortments of fiction. The book fails to make a coherent thread or deliver an idea- what do you want to say? i feel i want to ask the writer. He is obscessed with words and wordplay. Above all i get the impression he was using writing as a therapy, but not to coney thoughts. Verbosity is the keyword.

7 people found this helpful

A True Gift for any DFW Fan

It's perfect. It's perfect it's perfect. Blend of DFW readings and readings by others with varied footnote styles. Love it love it love it.

6 people found this helpful