I would venture to guess that at one point or another Infinite Jest has lived on the "Employee Recommends" shelf of every bookstore in America. I've certainly seen my share of these earnest, hand lettered signs that touted how its satire and quirk transcended the length which might otherwise turn readers away. I'm saddened by the realization that it will once again find its way onto those shelves, but now as a tribute and obituary to a talent that died to quickly and not as an introduction to his oncoming work.
David Foster Wallace committed suicide this week, leaving the world at very young 46. He leaves behind his family, his students and the millions of readers who have read his work, or are just about to discover him.
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