Infinite Jest: How to Listen to a Novel That Will Blow Your Mind
Infinite Jest Audiobook Review: A Mind-Altering Comedy About the Pursuit of Happiness in America
If you are looking for a novel that will challenge your mind, make you laugh, cry, think, and feel, then you might want to consider listening to Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. This audiobook is a gargantuan, mind-altering comedy about the pursuit of happiness in America, set in an addicts' halfway house and a tennis academy, and featuring the most endearingly screwed-up family to come along in recent fiction. In this article, we will review Infinite Jest audiobook and tell you why it is worth your time and attention.
infinite jest audiobook review
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What is Infinite Jest about?
Infinite Jest is a novel that defies easy categorization. It is a sprawling, complex, multi-layered, and multi-genre work that explores essential questions about what entertainment is and why it has come to so dominate our lives; about how our desire for entertainment affects our need to connect with other people; and about what the pleasures we choose say about who we are.
The plot and the setting of the novel
The novel takes place in a near-future North America, where a giant concavity has been created by toxic waste, where a group of Quebecois separatists are plotting to unleash a deadly entertainment device called Infinite Jest, where a mysterious figure known as the Wheelchair Assassin is hunting down anyone who knows about Infinite Jest, where a dysfunctional family of tennis prodigies runs an elite academy called Enfield Tennis Academy (ETA), where a group of recovering addicts lives in a halfway house called Ennet House Drug and Alcohol Recovery House (Ennet House), and where a cast of hundreds of characters intersects in various ways.
The novel does not follow a linear or chronological structure, but rather jumps back and forth in time and space, using different narrative techniques, such as footnotes, endnotes, stream-of-consciousness, dialogues, monologues, lists, descriptions, etc. The novel also does not have a clear beginning or ending, but rather starts in medias res and ends with an unresolved cliffhanger.
The themes and the messages of the novel
Infinite Jest is a novel that tackles many themes and messages, such as addiction, depression, suicide, loneliness, family, love, friendship, tennis, entertainment, consumerism, technology, politics, religion, art, etc. The novel also satirizes various aspects of American culture and society, such as academia, media, advertising, sports, etc.
One of the main themes of the novel is the paradoxical nature of entertainment and pleasure. The novel suggests that entertainment can be both a source of happiness and a source of misery, depending on how we use it and how we relate to it. The novel also suggests that entertainment can be both a form of escape and a form of enslavement, depending on how we consume it and how we let it consume us. The novel also suggests that entertainment can be both a form of connection and a form of isolation, depending on how we share it and how we let it affect us.
Another main theme of the novel is the quest for meaning and fulfillment in life. The novel suggests that meaning and fulfillment are not found in external sources, such as fame, money, power, drugs, etc., but rather in internal sources, such as self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-improvement, etc. The novel also suggests that meaning and fulfillment are not found in solitary pursuits, but rather in communal pursuits, such as communication, compassion, cooperation, etc. The novel also suggests that meaning and fulfillment are not found in easy solutions, but rather in hard choices, such as honesty, responsibility, sacrifice, etc.
Who is David Foster Wallace and why is he important?
Infinite Jest is not only a remarkable novel, but also a remarkable achievement by its author, David Foster Wallace. Wallace was one of the most influential and innovative writers of his generation, who left behind a legacy of brilliant works and a tragic story.
The biography and the achievements of the author
David Foster Wallace was born in 1962 in Ithaca, New York. He grew up in Illinois, where he excelled in academics and sports. He attended Amherst College, where he majored in English and philosophy. He wrote his senior thesis on modal logic, which was later published as a book. He also wrote his first novel, The Broom of the System, which was published in 1987.
After graduating from Amherst, Wallace attended the University of Arizona, where he earned his MFA in creative writing. He also wrote his second novel, Infinite Jest, which was published in 1996. The novel was a huge success, both critically and commercially. It was hailed as one of the best novels of the 20th century by various publications and critics. It also won several awards and honors, such as the Time Magazine's Best English-Language Novel Published Since 1923.
Wallace also wrote several short story collections, such as Girl with Curious Hair, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, and Oblivion. He also wrote several essays and nonfiction books, such as A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, Consider the Lobster, and This Is Water. He also taught creative writing at various institutions, such as Illinois State University, Pomona College, and Emerson College.
Wallace suffered from depression for most of his life. He attempted suicide several times and underwent various treatments. He also struggled with substance abuse and addiction. He hanged himself at his home in California in 2008. He was 46 years old.
The influence and the legacy of the author
David Foster Wallace was widely regarded as one of the most original and influential writers of his generation. He influenced many writers and artists who admired his style, his humor, his intelligence, his honesty, and his courage. He also inspired many readers who related to his themes, his characters, his insights, and his struggles.
David Foster Wallace left behind a legacy of works that continue to be read, studied, discussed, and celebrated. His works have been adapted into various media forms, such as films, plays, podcasts, etc. His works have also been analyzed by various scholars and critics from different disciplines and perspectives. His works have also been honored by various institutions and organizations.
How is the audiobook version of Infinite Jest different from the print version?
Infinite Jest is a novel that poses many challenges and opportunities for both readers and listeners. The audiobook version of Infinite Jest is different from the print version in several ways.
The advantages and the challenges of listening to Infinite Jest
The features and the quality of the audiobook narration
Another advantage of listening to Infinite Jest is that it allows you to appreciate the novel's linguistic richness and diversity. The audiobook version is narrated by Sean Pratt, who does an excellent job of conveying the novel's humor, emotion, and nuance. Pratt also does a great job of differentiating the novel's many characters and voices, using various accents, dialects, pitches, and tones. Pratt also does a great job of reading the novel's many footnotes and endnotes, which are essential for understanding the novel's context and meaning.
One of the challenges of listening to Infinite Jest is that it requires a lot of concentration and attention. The audiobook version does not have any visual cues or aids to help you follow the novel's complex plot and structure. The audiobook version also does not have any breaks or pauses to help you digest the novel's dense information and ideas. The audiobook version also does not have any bookmarks or chapters to help you navigate the novel's long duration and size.
What are some of the reviews and the ratings of Infinite Jest audiobook?
Infinite Jest audiobook has received many reviews and ratings from critics and listeners. The audiobook version has been praised for its quality, its performance, and its impact. The audiobook version has also been criticized for its difficulty, its length, and its incompleteness.
The positive and the negative feedback from critics and listeners
Some of the positive feedback from critics and listeners are:
"[A]n exhilarating, breath-taking experience. This book teems with so much life and death, so much hilarity and pain, so much gusto in the face of despair that one cheers for the future of our literature." - Newsday (audio review)
"[A] postmodern saga of damnation and salvationresourceful, hilarious, intelligent, and unique." - The Atlantic Monthly
"[C]ompulsively entertaining one of the big talents of his generation, a writer of virtuosic skills who can seemingly do anything." - New York Times
"Sean Pratt is an outstanding narrator who captures Wallace's humorous and insightful voice...Pratt skillfully guides us through Wallace's epic footnote within a footnote within a footnote." - AudioFile Magazine
"This is one of those rare books that renew the idea of what a novel can do...Please don't be put off by its length or difficulty or by the notion that it's about addiction or tennis or anything else. It's about everything." - Amazon customer review
"This is hands down my favorite book of all time. It is funny, sad, profound, absurd, brilliant, challenging, rewarding...I could go on forever. The narrator does an amazing job with all the different voices and accents. He really brings the characters to life." - Audible customer review
Some of the negative feedback from critics and listeners are:
"[A] vast encyclopedia of factoids...and a lot of words that look as though they should be funny but aren't." - Michiko Kakutani, New York Times
"[A]n unreadable bore...a pretentious mess...a waste of time." - Goodreads customer review
"[A] frustrating experience...The narrator is good but he can't save this book from being a chore to listen to...The footnotes are annoying and distracting...The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying." - Audible customer review
"[A] nightmare to listen to...The audio quality is poor...The narrator is monotone and boring...The book is too long and too complicated...The story is incomprehensible and pointless." - Amazon customer review
The comparison and the contrast with other audiobooks
Infinite Jest audiobook can be compared and contrasted with other audiobooks in terms of its genre, its style, its content, its narration, etc. For example:
Infinite Jest audiobook can be compared with Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon, which is another postmodern novel that explores themes such as technology, war, paranoia, etc., using various narrative techniques, such as digressions, references, symbols, etc. Both audiobooks are narrated by Sean Pratt, who does a great job of capturing the tone and the mood of the novels.
Infinite Jest audiobook can be contrasted with The Pale King by David Foster Wallace, which is another novel that explores themes such as boredom, work, taxes, etc., using various narrative techniques, such as fragments, notes, interviews, etc. The audiobook version of The Pale King is narrated by Robert Petkoff, who does a good job of conveying the humor and the sadness of the novel.
Who should listen to Infinite Jest audiobook and why?
Infinite Jest audiobook is not for everyone. It is a novel that demands a lot of patience, curiosity, and imagination from its listeners. It is a novel that challenges and rewards its listeners in equal measure. It is a novel that can change your life or leave you cold.
The target audience and the prerequisites for enjoying Infinite Jest
The target audience for Infinite Jest audiobook are people who are interested in literature, philosophy, psychology, sociology, etc. People who are looking for a novel that will make them think, feel, laugh, and cry. People who are willing to invest their time and attention in a novel that will expand their horizons and perspectives.
The prerequisites for enjoying Infinite Jest audiobook are a good pair of headphones, a comfortable place to listen, a lot of free time, a lot of concentration, a lot of curiosity, a lot of perseverance, and a lot of humor.
The benefits and the drawbacks of listening to Infinite Jest
The benefits of listening to Infinite Jest audiobook are that it will enrich your mind, your heart, and your soul. It will expose you to a novel that is original, innovative, and influential. It will introduce you to a writer that is brilliant, witty, and honest. It will entertain you with a story that is hilarious, tragic, and profound.
The drawbacks of listening to Infinite Jest audiobook are that it will exhaust your mind, your heart, and your soul. It will overwhelm you with a novel that is complex, dense, and long. It will confront you with a writer that is depressed, suicidal, and dead. It will frustrate you with a story that is confusing, incomplete, and unresolved.
Conclusion
Infinite Jest audiobook is a remarkable work of art that deserves your attention and appreciation. It is a novel that will challenge you, surprise you, delight you, and haunt you. It is a novel that will make you laugh out loud and cry out loud. It is a novel that will make you question everything and appreciate everything.
If you are looking for an audiobook that will change your life or at least your view of life, then you should listen to Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It is one of those rare books that renew the idea of what a novel can do.
Five unique FAQs after the conclusion
Q: How long does it take to listen to Infinite Jest audiobook?
A: It depends on how fast or slow you listen to it. The average listening speed is about 150 words per minute. The audiobook version of Infinite Jest has about 543000 words. So it would take about 60 hours to listen to it at the average speed.
Q: How many footnotes and endnotes are there in Infinite Jest?
A: There are 388 footnotes and endnotes in Infinite Jest. They range from one word to several pages long. They contain important information and details that are essential for understanding the novel.
Q: What does the title Infinite Jest mean?
A: The title Infinite Jest has multiple meanings and interpretations. One possible meaning is that it refers to the entertainment device that is so addictive and lethal that it causes people to die from watching it endlessly. Another possible meaning is that it refers to the irony and absurdity of life in a world where happiness is elusive and meaningless.
Q: Who is the narrator of Infinite Jest?
are Hal Incandenza, the youngest son of the tennis academy founder and the filmmaker of Infinite Jest; or Orin Incandenza, the oldest son of the tennis academy founder and the football player who is pursued by the Wheelchair Assassin; or David Foster Wallace himself, the author of the novel who inserts his own voice and opinions in various parts of the novel.
Q: What is the significance of the year of the depend adult undergarment?
A: The year of the depend adult undergarment is one of the many ways that the novel satirizes the consumerist and corporatist culture of America. The novel takes place in a near-future where time is subsidized by corporations and products. Each year is named after a sponsor and a product, such as the year of the trial-sized Dove bar, the year of the whisper-quiet Maytag dishwasher, etc. The year of the depend adult undergarment is the current year in which most of the novel's events take place. It is also a symbol of the novel's themes of addiction, dependency, and incontinence.
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