The Legacy and Complexity of David Foster Wallace's Fiction

David Foster Wallace's work, including his acclaimed novel Infinite Jest, is examined by writer Patricia Loughood in her review of a posthumously published novella. Loughood discusses her personal experience with Wallace's writings and the impact they had on the literary community. She highlights the communal reading experience of Infinite Jest and its unique role in changing perceptions of reading as a collective activity. Loughood also delves into Wallace's difficulty as a writer, his use of attention and boredom as recurring themes, and the controversy surrounding his treatment of women in his work. She emphasizes the influence Wallace had on the essay genre and the directness of his writing style.