Elegant Complexity is the first critical work to provide detailed and thorough commentary on each of the 192 sections of David Foster Wallace's masterful Infinite Jest. No other commentary on Infinite Jest recognizes that Wallace clearly divided the book into 28 chapters that are thematically unified. A chronology at the end of the study reorders each section of the novel into a sequential timeline that orients the reader and that could be used to support a chronological reading of the novel. Other helpful reference materials include a thematic outline, more chronologies, a map of one the novel's settings, lists of characters grouped by association, and an indexed list of references. Elegant Complexity orients the reader at the beginning of each section and keeps commentary separate for those readers who only want orientation. The researcher looking for specific characters or themes is provided a key at the beginning of each commentary. Carlisle explains the novel's complex plot threads (and discrepancies) with expert insight and clear commentary. The book is 99% spoiler-free for first-time readers of Infinite Jest.
Elegant Complexity
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Zeo Vega
Format:Paperback
Mr. Carlisle's Elegant Complexity is a helpful scaffolding system for an understanding of the late David Foster Wallace's Magnum opus. Elegant Complexity structures the chapters, sections, and subsections of Wallace's Infinite Jest into an organized whole. However, it is bland. But this is a good thing. It does not force an interpretation down your throat, it merely states what is what, and offers the minimalist of hints as to further exploration of meaning and interpretation. In this regard Elegant Complexity is a success.
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By T. Callahan
Format:Paperback
The surest way to ruin a joke is to explain it. It seems that elegance functions similarly. This book - exhaustive on its chosen subject - lacks any praiseworthy style in writing.
To call it a study is misleading. It is only a guide, though it _is_ a commendable guide.
What it comes down to is a very explicit and formulaic cliffsnotes: summarize a passage, extract the themes, explain them ad. naus. While I don't think most of the people who read "Jest" in its entirety in the first place will need guidance with everything "complexity" offers, I think it does offer points "Jest" scholars will enjoy exploring further.
"Elegant Complexity" is neither, but this only serves to provide a little insight in less than a few thousand pages. It's good for what it is - an explicit guide. Make sure that it's what you want.
To call it a study is misleading. It is only a guide, though it _is_ a commendable guide.
What it comes down to is a very explicit and formulaic cliffsnotes: summarize a passage, extract the themes, explain them ad. naus. While I don't think most of the people who read "Jest" in its entirety in the first place will need guidance with everything "complexity" offers, I think it does offer points "Jest" scholars will enjoy exploring further.
"Elegant Complexity" is neither, but this only serves to provide a little insight in less than a few thousand pages. It's good for what it is - an explicit guide. Make sure that it's what you want.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Take your time and read Infinite Jest and skip this "study" of it.
November 11, 2011
By CKC411
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I ordered this book on the strength of the reviews and an overestimation of the complexity of Infinite Jest. The fact that Elegant Complexity is promoted as "spoiler free" indicates more of a companion piece than a study of the novel itself. I do not want to take anything away from the reviewers as I can see value in this type of book if, for example, Infinite Jest was required reading and not your cup of tea. This could make it easier to comprehend, but it would certainly appear to me to take the joy out of reading Infinite Jest (and it was a joy). I read the Introduction and first chapter review and realized that Elegant Complexity was not going to enhance my comprehension of the book, but would certainly take away my enjoyment of it. Needless to say, I put the book down and spent the next several weeks thoroughly enjoying Infinite Jest. After I finished the novel, I went back and looked over Elegant Complexity to see if perhaps it could be utilized as a review and I found that it did not include much of anything I missed and failed to discuss items I would have considered relevant in a companion work like this. I found myself referring to the novel to fill the gaps left in some of the summary information in an early chapter review in Elegant Complexity, which seemed odd to me and compelled me to share my thoughts. If you are dedicated to reading Infinite Jest for pleasure, I would suggest taking your time and reading the book and skipping the "spoiler-free" guide. Infinite Jest can be complex when compared to much of today's popular novels, but it is worth the effort. I applaud the effort to make David Foster Wallace more accessible to the average reader, but I just do not see this achieving that objective and I personally expected much more.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
My first book about a book.
A great read for anybody who loved Infinite Jest. Highly recommended if you are not some genius literary analysist who probably already knows the definition of carbuncular.
Published 1 month ago by Tyler Hall
1.0 out of 5 stars
no way!
There is no way I am going to spend more on the "study guide" than I would pay for the book! Is that not ridiculous?
Published 2 months ago by LL
3.0 out of 5 stars
Why some introductions seem to us longer than the book itself?
Effective introduction to Wallace's book, although overloaded with references on references.
Readers will learn how authors, such as Don deLillo, had a great influence on... Read more
Readers will learn how authors, such as Don deLillo, had a great influence on... Read more
Published 10 months ago by rita zani
3.0 out of 5 stars
Both worthwhile and useless
Honestly, I feel like this book misses the point. It serves basically an extended summary that makes explicit the more implicit connections to be found in the story, not as any... Read more
Published 10 months ago by towercity
2.0 out of 5 stars
No imagination, just a tedious summary
Infinite Jest is a difficult but rewarding novel. Elegant Complexity is merely a listing of various facts in the novel that may be relevant but the book lacks any analysis of what... Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. H OAKLEY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written guide that will make you wonder how you missed things.
This guide to Infinite Jest justified itself alone by being able to string together all the uses of the color blue. Read more
Published 16 months ago by David Monk
3.0 out of 5 stars
Don't buy the Kindle edition
I am sure this is a great guide, but do not buy it for Kindle. This is a reference, so you want to be able to page back and forth.
Published on October 11, 2009 by Mary K. Durbin
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's All Interconnected, Elegantly
Elegant Complexity is a tremendous, tremendous help to this first-time Infinite Jest reader. Sure, the chapter summaries and commentaries are useful, but the strengths of the study... Read more
Published on December 11, 2008 by Gregory Zimmerman
5.0 out of 5 stars
THANK YOU, GREG CARLISLE!
I just recieved, "Elegant Complexity: A Study Of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest" and I salute you, Mr. Carlisle! Read more
Published on December 4, 2007 by Colleen MacTavish
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