Understanding David Foster Wallace (Understanding Contemporary American Literature) [Hardcover]

Marshall Boswell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2003 | Series: Understanding Contemporary American Literature

In Understanding David Foster Wallace, Marshall Boswell examines the four major works of fiction Wallace has published thus far: the novels The Broom of the System and Infinite Jest and the story collections Girl with Curious Hair and Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. In his readings of these works, Boswell affirms that Wallace, though still young, compels our attention not only for the singular excellence of his work but, perhaps more important, for his groundbreaking effort to chart a fruitful and affirmative new direction for the literary novel at a time of bleak prospects.

In addition to providing self-contained readings of each text, Boswell places Wallace within a trajectory of literary innovation that begins with James Joyce and continues through Wallace's most important postmodern forebears, John Barth and Thomas Pynchon. Although Wallace is sometimes labeled a postmodern writer, Boswell argues that he should be regarded as the nervous leader of some still unnamed--and perhaps unnameable--third wave of modernism. Boswell contends that in charting an innovative course for literary practice, Wallace does not seek merely to overturn postmodernism, nor simply to return to modernism. Instead he moves resolutely forward as his writing hoists the baggage of modernism and postmodernism heavily, but respectfully, on its back.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A valuable introduction to Wallace and his first four books. Boswell provides enlightening interpretations of much of the fiction, especially in his use of Wittgenstein in reading The Broom of the System and Lacan and Kierkegaard in reading Infinite Jest.”—Review of Contemporary Fiction --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

A detailed approach to the fiction of a pioneer in modernism’s third wave --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press (December 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570035172
• ISBN-13: 978-1570035173
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marshall Boswell is the author of the story collection, "Trouble with Girls" (Algonquin Books, 2003) and the novel "Alternative Atlanta" (Delacorte Press, 2005). Both books are currently available in paperback. His new novel is called "The Opinion Leader" and should be forthcoming soon.

In addition, Marshall has published two book-length scholarly monographs, " John Updike's Rabbit Tetralogy: Mastered Irony in Motion" (University of Missouri Press, 2001) and "Understanding David Foster Wallace" (University of South Carolina Press, 2004). He is also the co-editor of Volume IV of "The Encylcopedia of American Literature: 1946 to the Present" (Facts on File, 2008).

Marshall grew up in the Mid-South and received his B.A. from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. He holds an M.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and a Ph.D. from Emory University in Atlanta. Since 1996 he as taught American Literature and Fiction Writing at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, where he is an Associate Professor. He is married and the father of three sons. His old band, Enormous Richard, once opened up for Alex Chilton and Uncle Tupelo. In fact, his band is "thanked" in the liner notes of Uncle Tupelo's first album, though he's pretty sure Jeff Tweedy couldn't pick him out in a police line-up. Incidentally, Marshall's never actually been in a police line-up.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Price, January 4, 2004

By 

Steven Moore (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Understanding David Foster Wallace (Understanding Contemporary American Literature) (Hardcover)

Though priced for flush university libraries rather than for skint individuals, this is an intelligent critique of DFW's work to date. Following an introduction, there are separate chapters on each of the 4 fiction books (the essays are discussed only in passing), illuminating the philosophical and aesthetic concerns of each book in a clear style with minimal academic jargon. Even longtime Wallace fans will find the book enlightening, and first-time readers couldn't hope for a better introduction to one of the most important American writers of our time. Highly recommended.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarity, February 20, 2011

By 

Robert M. Koretsky "DIYer" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding David Foster Wallace (Understanding Contemporary American Literature) (Paperback)

I just recently read "The Broom of the System", and found Boswell's book to be a very clear and cogent description of Wallace's style and meaning. He very understandably explicates the metafictional foundations and philosophical background of Wallace's approach to literature, and he made alot of sense to me, grounding the work in the modernist and postmodernist literary traditions. I am about to read the chapter on "Infinite Jest", which I read a few years back, and I'm sure it will be very insightful. I learned a great deal from Boswell, not only about Wallace, but about reading, writing literature, and thinking in general. Thanks!