pastrol. the grass description
0 / 0claude sylvanshine arrives in Peoria
0 / 7what do you think of when you masturbate (convo at IRS center, presumably)
0 / 0news bulletin about an IRS worker (Frederick Blumquist) dead for four days
0 / 0about a young boy who everyone hates because he's too, idk, obedient, naive, "good"
0 / 2Lane Dean Jr and his gf. reminiscent of Hills Like White Elephants. republished as Good People
Lane Dean Jr and his gf. reminiscent of Hills Like White Elephants. republished as Good People
0 / 0Sylvanshine in the vehicle that used to belong to Mister Squishee
0 / 2Toni Ware's backstory
3 / 1the "author" explaining that it's all true. about how he got paid to write essays for other people in college, then got expelled, then ended up joining the IRS
the "author" explaining that it's all true. about how he got paid to write essays for other people in college, then got expelled, then ended up joining the IRS
0 / 0two short paragraphs: "The bureaucracy is not a closed system; it is this that makes it a world instead of a thing."
two short paragraphs: "The bureaucracy is not a closed system; it is this that makes it a world instead of a thing."
0 / 0weird, jargon-filled internal IRS memo listing various types of medical conditions associated with prolonged IRS posting
weird, jargon-filled internal IRS memo listing various types of medical conditions associated with prolonged IRS posting
0 / 0Stecyk saying hello to a neighbour and this is really the most cringe-worthy scene in the whole book
Stecyk saying hello to a neighbour and this is really the most cringe-worthy scene in the whole book
0 / 0David "Sweatman" Cusk and his superhero origin story
0 / 2the IRS interviewing employees (transcripts, with empty Q's, as in Brief Interviews)
0 / 2Claude Sylvanshine being a fact psychic (this chapter is clearly about the overwhelming amount of information we all face in this era of late capitalism)
Claude Sylvanshine being a fact psychic (this chapter is clearly about the overwhelming amount of information we all face in this era of late capitalism)
0 / 0Lane Dean Jr. goes on his break and wants to flap his arms
0 / 1a short monologue (unnamed speaker) on IRS employees as small-h heroes
0 / 0from the filmed IRS interviews, someone talking about Desk Names (Mike Hunt, Phil Mypockets, etc)
from the filmed IRS interviews, someone talking about Desk Names (Mike Hunt, Phil Mypockets, etc)
0 / 0elevator convo about civics and selfishness
0 / 1Toni Ware moves into a new neighborhood and scares her neighbor
0 / 0Some unnamed IRS employee confronts an unnamed entrepreneur who has been falsifying his W2s
Some unnamed IRS employee confronts an unnamed entrepreneur who has been falsifying his W2s
0 / 0Chris Fogle on his conversion from nilhilism
0 / 5(unnamed) first-person recounting of a dream about boredom?
0 / 0another Author Here section. about his arrival for intake processing (sitting next to David Cusk, special welcome from Ms. Neti-Neti)
another Author Here section. about his arrival for intake processing (sitting next to David Cusk, special welcome from Ms. Neti-Neti)
1 / 7two columns. people turn pages, etc
0 / 1third-person narrator on ghosts in the IRS office
0 / 0Third person. David Cusk is in orientation and imagines that the woman behind him is unspeakably gorgeous. Sylvanshine is in the same room. David Wallace is in a different room (for the Alternative Tax/Shelters Immersive Group)
Third person. David Cusk is in orientation and imagines that the woman behind him is unspeakably gorgeous. Sylvanshine is in the same room. David Wallace is in a different room (for the Alternative Tax/Shelters Immersive Group)
1 / 1All GS-9 Examiners want to be GS-11 Examiners, etc
0 / 0people talking about shit (Fat Marcus the Moneylender)
0 / 0convo at the IRS office with Claude, Reynolds, etc about Glendenning and various other employees.
convo at the IRS office with Claude, Reynolds, etc about Glendenning and various other employees.
0 / 0weird short one about someone named Shinn leaving the IRS van? ends with him ruminating on what birds are really saying
weird short one about someone named Shinn leaving the IRS van? ends with him ruminating on what birds are really saying
0 / 0first-person, on the phone with his sister Julie, asking her to do an impression from The Exorcist (i think)
first-person, on the phone with his sister Julie, asking her to do an impression from The Exorcist (i think)
0 / 0third-person, about Lane Dean Jr in the absolute depths of boredom in the wiggle room. ghost shows up
third-person, about Lane Dean Jr in the absolute depths of boredom in the wiggle room. ghost shows up
0 / 3one paragraph from an internal memo about the AMT formula
0 / 0the group manager's fierce infant. first-person but unnamed narrator
0 / 0the boy who tries to press his lips to every square inch of his body
0 / 1awkward convo between a Russell and an unnamed speaker at a restaurant
0 / 0third-person, explaining the bug that conflated the two David Wallaces in the IRS' systems
third-person, explaining the bug that conflated the two David Wallaces in the IRS' systems
0 / 1ostensibly about Claude but really focuses on Leonard Stecyk's backstory (the severed-thumb incident)
ostensibly about Claude but really focuses on Leonard Stecyk's backstory (the severed-thumb incident)
0 / 1David Cusk is enumerating his (water-based) fears in a therapist's office
0 / 0dialogue between Charlie? and an unnamed speaker about sending Cardwell to get 'him'?
0 / 0people talking about drugs (incl "Colorado Todd")
0 / 1first person, by David Wallace. about a terrorist attack in another IRS center
0 / 1first person, unnamed narrator who spent two summers as a cart boy in the Peoria office at 21/22: "I learned that the world of men as it exists today is a bureaucracy." (437) "If you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish." (438)
first person, unnamed narrator who spent two summers as a cart boy in the Peoria office at 21/22: "I learned that the world of men as it exists today is a bureaucracy." (437) "If you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish." (438)
0 / 0about Toni's mom and playing dead. "this girl is damaged goods"
0 / 0third person. happy hour at Meibeyer's. Meredith Rand and Shane Drinion talk about her beauty and her institutionalization.
third person. happy hour at Meibeyer's. Meredith Rand and Shane Drinion talk about her beauty and her institutionalization.
0 / 0Toni Ware investigating some gas station? don't really understand the context but it's beautifully written
Toni Ware investigating some gas station? don't really understand the context but it's beautifully written
0 / 0someone (Sylvanshine?) talking about the picnic with some special agents from Chicago. don't really get this one
someone (Sylvanshine?) talking about the picnic with some special agents from Chicago. don't really get this one
0 / 0Fogle being coached by Reynolds and Sylvanshine for his meeting with Dr Lehrl (Blue Devils)
Fogle being coached by Reynolds and Sylvanshine for his meeting with Dr Lehrl (Blue Devils)
0 / 0really weird but kinda poetic. second-person? in an office, being told you do have a body
really weird but kinda poetic. second-person? in an office, being told you do have a body
0 / 0a sample of the notes DFW left that weren't incorporated in the main text
a sample of the notes DFW left that weren't incorporated in the main text
0 / 0short chat between a man and a woman, Mayfly? idk
0 / 0two paragraphs about a man and a woman who meet and care more about being liked than about liking
two paragraphs about a man and a woman who meet and care more about being liked than about liking
0 / 0basically one long sentence about an old and distinguished poet and his disgustingly decadent life. not fun to read but very ripe for analysis
basically one long sentence about an old and distinguished poet and his disgustingly decadent life. not fun to read but very ripe for analysis
0 / 0boy turns 13 and climbs up the diving board (as a metaphor for puberty, etc)
boy turns 13 and climbs up the diving board (as a metaphor for puberty, etc)
0 / 0guy who dreams about being blind
guy who dreams about being blind
0 / 0such a bitch to read but so, so real
0 / 0first person, about "Daddy" and how he would sell things for $5 or $10
first person, about "Daddy" and how he would sell things for $5 or $10
0 / 0a man being seduced by the younger sister of his wife's college roommate but he can't because it feels too artifical
a man being seduced by the younger sister of his wife's college roommate but he can't because it feels too artifical
0 / 0first person, a guy who remembers his father wagging his dick at him one day when he was 8 or 9, but his dad steadfastly denies it. idk if i like the ending
first person, a guy who remembers his father wagging his dick at him one day when he was 8 or 9, but his dad steadfastly denies it. idk if i like the ending
0 / 0set in the future. definitions of the word "date" in a much more technocratic world. didn't care for this one
set in the future. definitions of the word "date" in a much more technocratic world. didn't care for this one
0 / 0LOVED THIS ONE. Pop quizzes.
LOVED THIS ONE. Pop quizzes.
Jeni worries that her forex trader husband isn't happy with their sex life despite all evidence to the contrary, and has unsettling dreams about the two of them (involving ambulances, sneezing, and the like), resulting in her turning to her ex-boyfriend (who realises he still loves her). a warning about the dangers of solipsism
Jeni worries that her forex trader husband isn't happy with their sex life despite all evidence to the contrary, and has unsettling dreams about the two of them (involving ambulances, sneezing, and the like), resulting in her turning to her ex-boyfriend (who realises he still loves her). a warning about the dangers of solipsism
0 / 0written as notes/schemata. ex proposes they have a tryst, Jeni just goes home and realises that her husband is a chronic masturbator. not a huge fan of this one or its overly deconstructive nature
written as notes/schemata. ex proposes they have a tryst, Jeni just goes home and realises that her husband is a chronic masturbator. not a huge fan of this one or its overly deconstructive nature
0 / 0first-person narrator does a charitable thing and really wants no one to know about it and in fact goes to such extremes to ensure no one knows about it because of, essentially, second-order vanity
first-person narrator does a charitable thing and really wants no one to know about it and in fact goes to such extremes to ensure no one knows about it because of, essentially, second-order vanity
0 / 0about a ten-year-old girl named Esther who drowns, interspersed with her stepfather(?) Day and Eric Yang (good at rotating). really beautifully written though i'd have to re-read it to make more sense of it
about a ten-year-old girl named Esther who drowns, interspersed with her stepfather(?) Day and Eric Yang (good at rotating). really beautifully written though i'd have to re-read it to make more sense of it
0 / 0very short, just dialogue. they flip a coin for custody of their son
very short, just dialogue. they flip a coin for custody of their son
0 / 0Ovid's Metamorphoses set in Hollywood? I don't know enough about the source material so I didn't really get this one
Ovid's Metamorphoses set in Hollywood? I don't know enough about the source material so I didn't really get this one
0 / 0a sort of play, written in the second person, about a father on his deathbed (visibly and eventfully about to die) who hated his sickly son for occupying his wife's attention. you (the son) interject near the end (cruelly): "But Father it's me. Your own son. All of us, standing here, loving you so."
a sort of play, written in the second person, about a father on his deathbed (visibly and eventfully about to die) who hated his sickly son for occupying his wife's attention. you (the son) interject near the end (cruelly): "But Father it's me. Your own son. All of us, standing here, loving you so."
0 / 0about a mother who hated her child and also herself for hating her child and i don't really know tbh. i guess the child commits suicide
about a mother who hated her child and also herself for hating her child and i don't really know tbh. i guess the child commits suicide
0 / 0no clue what this one is about. narrator is in a kitchen, with his (?) family, his brother making a face?
no clue what this one is about. narrator is in a kitchen, with his (?) family, his brother making a face?
0 / 0on the unparalleled kinetic beauty of Roger Federer. well-written even if I personally don't really care for tennis
on the unparalleled kinetic beauty of Roger Federer. well-written even if I personally don't really care for tennis
3 / 2Published 1998, written late 1987. On the recent spate of "Conspicuously Young" writers (aka the Brat Pack): Bret Easton Ellis's Less Than Zero, David Leavitt's Family Dancing, Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City. How they were initially lauded by the media, then derided by it for being empty, trashy, etc. DFW explores the temporal reasons their writing has a tendency to be this way and why it's important to overcome it
Published 1998, written late 1987. On the recent spate of "Conspicuously Young" writers (aka the Brat Pack): Bret Easton Ellis's Less Than Zero, David Leavitt's Family Dancing, Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City. How they were initially lauded by the media, then derided by it for being empty, trashy, etc. DFW explores the temporal reasons their writing has a tendency to be this way and why it's important to overcome it
11 / 8written in 1990. an adulatory review of David Markson's Wittgenstein's Mistress that briefly discusses Wittgenstein's theories. lovely to read.
written in 1990. an adulatory review of David Markson's Wittgenstein's Mistress that briefly discusses Wittgenstein's theories. lovely to read.
17 / 5a one-page review of the English translation of Zbigniew Herbert's Mr. Cogito (Polish book of poems). DFW considers him one of the best living poets, and definitely the best of the postmodern poets
a one-page review of the English translation of Zbigniew Herbert's Mr. Cogito (Polish book of poems). DFW considers him one of the best living poets, and definitely the best of the postmodern poets
0 / 0an investigative journalism piece on the 1996 U.S. Open. some funny moments but nothing special
an investigative journalism piece on the 1996 U.S. Open. some funny moments but nothing special
6 / 2short but interesting, though it felt weird without the context. about AIDS, and how the erotic will really only exists because of impediments (the knight's desire for the maiden in the castle is heightened by the presence of the dragon, etc)
short but interesting, though it felt weird without the context. about AIDS, and how the erotic will really only exists because of impediments (the knight's desire for the maiden in the castle is heightened by the presence of the dragon, etc)
1 / 1from 1998. about the release of Terminator 2. no real takeaways
from 1998. about the release of Terminator 2. no real takeaways
1 / 1short but great (and very relevant) one about writing! starts off with a metaphor from Don DeLillo's Mao II (writing a book is like having a hideous infant following you around).
short but great (and very relevant) one about writing! starts off with a metaphor from Don DeLillo's Mao II (writing a book is like having a hideous infant following you around).
1 / 2about how math has found its way into popular culture and entertainment (see: Good Will Hunting, A Beautiful Mind, etc). reviews two math genre books: The Wild Numbers by Philibert Schogt (apparently awful) and Uncles Petros & Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis (apparently less awful). both, however, have a problem with defining their audience (i.e., it's unclear for whom the books are written: people who love math? people who know nothing about math?). mostly just DFW showing off how much he knows about math, but not terrible.
about how math has found its way into popular culture and entertainment (see: Good Will Hunting, A Beautiful Mind, etc). reviews two math genre books: The Wild Numbers by Philibert Schogt (apparently awful) and Uncles Petros & Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis (apparently less awful). both, however, have a problem with defining their audience (i.e., it's unclear for whom the books are written: people who love math? people who know nothing about math?). mostly just DFW showing off how much he knows about math, but not terrible.
7 / 0a fairly silly book review where he makes a bulleted list of things he wants to say about The Best of The Prose Poem in order to get in under the word limit. mostly just him belittling the idea of a prose poem and the contributors to the volume (possibly deserved, idk) while praising a few of them (Jon Davis, David Ignatow, and some others)
a fairly silly book review where he makes a bulleted list of things he wants to say about The Best of The Prose Poem in order to get in under the word limit. mostly just him belittling the idea of a prose poem and the contributors to the volume (possibly deserved, idk) while praising a few of them (Jon Davis, David Ignatow, and some others)
6 / 0a book review of Borges: A Life by Edwin Williamson, but really an excuse to talk about the genius of Jorge Luis Borges and how it's silly to try and relate everything in his work to his life story (as Williamson does in the biography)
a book review of Borges: A Life by Edwin Williamson, but really an excuse to talk about the genius of Jorge Luis Borges and how it's silly to try and relate everything in his work to his life story (as Williamson does in the biography)
7 / 1intro to The Best American Essays 2007. explaining the general process of choosing essays and also describing how the current political sentiment has influenced his choices
intro to The Best American Essays 2007. explaining the general process of choosing essays and also describing how the current political sentiment has influenced his choices
10 / 1very short. about 9/11 and whether the lives lost are "sacrifices on the altar of freedom" (Lincoln's words) the same way car accidents are an acceptable trade-off for the convenience of cars. i basically agree with everything he says here
very short. about 9/11 and whether the lives lost are "sacrifices on the altar of freedom" (Lincoln's words) the same way car accidents are an acceptable trade-off for the convenience of cars. i basically agree with everything he says here
0 / 0Lenore visits Mount Holyoke as a 15-year-old and is confronted with the full force of toxic masculinity (i.e., Biff Diggerence and Andrew Lang asking them to sign their bottoms)
Lenore visits Mount Holyoke as a 15-year-old and is confronted with the full force of toxic masculinity (i.e., Biff Diggerence and Andrew Lang asking them to sign their bottoms)
0 / 0Rick tells Lenore a story about second-order vanity
0 / 1Lenore Sr. is missing. The phone lines at Frequent and Vigorous are mixed up. Rick has a dream about Queen Victoria. the shape of East Corinth (as Jayne Mansfield) is revealed.
Lenore Sr. is missing. The phone lines at Frequent and Vigorous are mixed up. Rick has a dream about Queen Victoria. the shape of East Corinth (as Jayne Mansfield) is revealed.
2 / 3a transcript detailing the creation of the Great Ohio Desert (basically it's because people were getting too soft)
a transcript detailing the creation of the Great Ohio Desert (basically it's because people were getting too soft)
0 / 1Rick explains his life story (Mindy, Vince, Lenore) in POV subsections interspersed with the plot (i.e., Lenore answering phones)
Rick explains his life story (Mindy, Vince, Lenore) in POV subsections interspersed with the plot (i.e., Lenore answering phones)
4 / 7Norman Bombardini has 9 steaks while Rick and Lenore watch in horror
2 / 5Vlad the Impaler starts to speak (very inappropriately); Rick tells Lenore a story about a man with a temper problem and a woman who overeats and their greedy therapist (they eventually all die); Lenore finds Mrs. Yingst's walker in her room
Vlad the Impaler starts to speak (very inappropriately); Rick tells Lenore a story about a man with a temper problem and a woman who overeats and their greedy therapist (they eventually all die); Lenore finds Mrs. Yingst's walker in her room
0 / 1transcript between Dr. Jay and Lenore in which Lenore expresses her anxiety about words and language; Rick begins the Fiedbinder collection; Rick has a dream about a hotel room with no sheets on the bed, which he tells Dr Jay; Lenore meets Mr. Bloemker's inflatable doll, Brenda
transcript between Dr. Jay and Lenore in which Lenore expresses her anxiety about words and language; Rick begins the Fiedbinder collection; Rick has a dream about a hotel room with no sheets on the bed, which he tells Dr Jay; Lenore meets Mr. Bloemker's inflatable doll, Brenda
2 / 3Lenore finally talks to her father, who explains what's going on re: Gramma and the pineal gland experiment
Lenore finally talks to her father, who explains what's going on re: Gramma and the pineal gland experiment
1 / 3Lenore visits Clarice Spaniard and watches Kopek Spasova and then the Spaniard family theatre performance; Rick continues the Fieldbinder collection and has a dream about infinite urine streams; Rick is offered a generous contract from Stonecipheco in exchange for allowing Lenore to visit her brother
Lenore visits Clarice Spaniard and watches Kopek Spasova and then the Spaniard family theatre performance; Rick continues the Fieldbinder collection and has a dream about infinite urine streams; Rick is offered a generous contract from Stonecipheco in exchange for allowing Lenore to visit her brother
0 / 2Andy leaves Mindy; Rick tells Lenore a story about a man who falls in love with a woman a toad in her neck (she dies); John LaVache is revealed to think of himself as a game show contestant; Lenore and Rick arrive at Amherst; Rick tells the story of his first and only attempt at approaching a woman (Janet) at a hors d'oeuvre bar, which ended with a Ritz cracker and bologna landing on Janet's nose; Lenore watches LaVache support his leg; Rick meets Andy Lang at The Flange, which is now a gay bar, and discovers Andy's coincidental experience on Corfu; LaVache shows Lenore the drawing of a man climbing a slope.
Andy leaves Mindy; Rick tells Lenore a story about a man who falls in love with a woman a toad in her neck (she dies); John LaVache is revealed to think of himself as a game show contestant; Lenore and Rick arrive at Amherst; Rick tells the story of his first and only attempt at approaching a woman (Janet) at a hors d'oeuvre bar, which ended with a Ritz cracker and bologna landing on Janet's nose; Lenore watches LaVache support his leg; Rick meets Andy Lang at The Flange, which is now a gay bar, and discovers Andy's coincidental experience on Corfu; LaVache shows Lenore the drawing of a man climbing a slope.
2 / 7On the jet, Rick tells Andy the tragic tale of Lenore's family while she sleeps; Lenore et co meet Reverend Hart Lee Sykes.
On the jet, Rick tells Andy the tragic tale of Lenore's family while she sleeps; Lenore et co meet Reverend Hart Lee Sykes.
0 / 0Rick tells Lenore his fear of Andy taking Lenore away
0 / 4Candy tells Lenore that Andy is into her; Neil Obstat and Andy discuss Lenore; Rick gives Lenore a promotion; Dr Jay gets instructions from Lenore Sr., via a proxy.
Candy tells Lenore that Andy is into her; Neil Obstat and Andy discuss Lenore; Rick gives Lenore a promotion; Dr Jay gets instructions from Lenore Sr., via a proxy.
0 / 1The Fieldbinder collection story "LOVE", in which Monroe Fieldbinder tells the Slotniks about Mr. Costigan's obsession with their son
The Fieldbinder collection story "LOVE", in which Monroe Fieldbinder tells the Slotniks about Mr. Costigan's obsession with their son
0 / 0Rick has a frightening dream involving Lenore, Andy, and urine; Lenore has a session with Dr Jay in which he pretends that he's a sperm cell; Lenore and Rick discuss the Fieldbinder story and its excess of wry grins; Rick has a session with Dr Jay in which he grows increasingly hostile; Rick decides that Lenore and Lang are inevitable; Rick exacts revenge on Dr Jay in his next Fieldbinder story; Candy and Mindy meet
Rick has a frightening dream involving Lenore, Andy, and urine; Lenore has a session with Dr Jay in which he pretends that he's a sperm cell; Lenore and Rick discuss the Fieldbinder story and its excess of wry grins; Rick has a session with Dr Jay in which he grows increasingly hostile; Rick decides that Lenore and Lang are inevitable; Rick exacts revenge on Dr Jay in his next Fieldbinder story; Candy and Mindy meet
1 / 4Lenore and Bloemker read to Concardine, who can only say "roughage"; Rick details the story of his fascination with Mindy Metalman, beginning with her at 13; Mindy explains to Candy her quest for a violet dress like the one Lenore had in chapter 1; Andy and Lenore fail to see Kopek Spasova; Mindy and Rick catch up and discuss Lenore and Andy; Andy comes clean (though probably manipulatively) to Lenore; Rick probably fails to satisfy Mindy; Lenore and Andy cuddle in a scene that's surprisingly sweet considering the rest of the book
Lenore and Bloemker read to Concardine, who can only say "roughage"; Rick details the story of his fascination with Mindy Metalman, beginning with her at 13; Mindy explains to Candy her quest for a violet dress like the one Lenore had in chapter 1; Andy and Lenore fail to see Kopek Spasova; Mindy and Rick catch up and discuss Lenore and Andy; Andy comes clean (though probably manipulatively) to Lenore; Rick probably fails to satisfy Mindy; Lenore and Andy cuddle in a scene that's surprisingly sweet considering the rest of the book
0 / 4Andy and Neil (in a rowboat) follow Lenore and Rick as they trudge along the shores of a strangely situated lake in the middle of the desert; Lenore tries to talk to Rick but is instead forced to listen to an extremely allegorical story about a woman with no self esteem and a dentist who can only communicate by Morse code after an accident; Rick has perhaps transcended sanity at this point and handcuffs Lenore to himself, which Andy is able to easily rectify
Andy and Neil (in a rowboat) follow Lenore and Rick as they trudge along the shores of a strangely situated lake in the middle of the desert; Lenore tries to talk to Rick but is instead forced to listen to an extremely allegorical story about a woman with no self esteem and a dentist who can only communicate by Morse code after an accident; Rick has perhaps transcended sanity at this point and handcuffs Lenore to himself, which Andy is able to easily rectify
0 / 4two sentences about Lenore rarely crying and Rick crying a lot
0 / 0Lenore returns to the office and is confronted with: Peter Abbott explaining the problem with the tunnels; Dr Jay warning about Norman Bombardini coming to eat Lenore; Bloemker, Alvin Spaniard, and Lenore's father all trying to get her attention
Lenore returns to the office and is confronted with: Peter Abbott explaining the problem with the tunnels; Dr Jay warning about Norman Bombardini coming to eat Lenore; Bloemker, Alvin Spaniard, and Lenore's father all trying to get her attention
0 / 0a transcript of Vlad the Impaler helping Reverend Sykes to get donations; Rick is with Mindy and in a state of denial; Rick is a man of his
a transcript of Vlad the Impaler helping Reverend Sykes to get donations; Rick is with Mindy and in a state of denial; Rick is a man of his
0 / 1about playing tennis as a child in Philo, IL. 1990.
0 / 0on television and irony, and the struggles faced by a fiction writer growing up in a hyperconsumerist culture, and the failings of postmodernism as a response to that. mentions My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist.
on television and irony, and the struggles faced by a fiction writer growing up in a hyperconsumerist culture, and the failings of postmodernism as a response to that. mentions My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist.
0 / 0the Illinois State Fair essay. August 5, 1993.
the Illinois State Fair essay. August 5, 1993.
0 / 0on H. L. Hix's Morte d'Author: An Autopsy (a Ph.D dissertation in literary theory). 1992. need to read the source and then re-read this
on H. L. Hix's Morte d'Author: An Autopsy (a Ph.D dissertation in literary theory). 1992. need to read the source and then re-read this
0 / 0on Lost Highway (really weird film with Patricia Arquette and lizards) and why David Lynch is a genius. DFW gets to visit the set but doesn't interview David Lynch. his main reason for liking his films is the bothness factor (characters can be both good and bad). for Premiere magazine. 1995.
on Lost Highway (really weird film with Patricia Arquette and lizards) and why David Lynch is a genius. DFW gets to visit the set but doesn't interview David Lynch. his main reason for liking his films is the bothness factor (characters can be both good and bad). for Premiere magazine. 1995.
0 / 1on a very capable but apparently not especially intelligent tennis player named Michael Joyce from LA. about the sacrifice professional athletes have to make for their craft. really sad, and veering on mean-spirited tbh. DFW has said that he regrets the tone and liberties he took with this one, especially since he got to know Michael Joyce pretty well. 1995.
on a very capable but apparently not especially intelligent tennis player named Michael Joyce from LA. about the sacrifice professional athletes have to make for their craft. really sad, and veering on mean-spirited tbh. DFW has said that he regrets the tone and liberties he took with this one, especially since he got to know Michael Joyce pretty well. 1995.
0 / 0the famous cruise ship essay. March 11 to 18, 1995. really about sadness and loneliness and this ridiculous idea that you can ever defeat desire by submitting to it
the famous cruise ship essay. March 11 to 18, 1995. really about sadness and loneliness and this ridiculous idea that you can ever defeat desire by submitting to it
0 / 1investigative journalism piece for Premiere magazine in 1998 about the AVN Awards (i.e., for pornographic movies). Originally published under a pseudonym.
investigative journalism piece for Premiere magazine in 1998 about the AVN Awards (i.e., for pornographic movies). Originally published under a pseudonym.
0 / 6about John Updike's tendency to write protagonists who are all the same sort of guy and really just reflections of himself, and how sometimes Updike has moments where he's able to write really great prose but lately it's all been the same narcissistic crap
about John Updike's tendency to write protagonists who are all the same sort of guy and really just reflections of himself, and how sometimes Updike has moments where he's able to write really great prose but lately it's all been the same narcissistic crap
3 / 1From a speech given in March at "Metamorphosis: A New Kafka," a symposium for celebrating a new translation of The Castle. 1999. loved this one.
From a speech given in March at "Metamorphosis: A New Kafka," a symposium for celebrating a new translation of The Castle. 1999. loved this one.
2 / 1in praise of Bryan A. Gardner's A Dictionary of Modern American Usage and his masterful blend of the prescriptivist and descriptivist. so good
in praise of Bryan A. Gardner's A Dictionary of Modern American Usage and his masterful blend of the prescriptivist and descriptivist. so good
3 / 1about 9/11 as experienced from DFW's community in Bloomington, Illinois
about 9/11 as experienced from DFW's community in Bloomington, Illinois
0 / 1about the horribly written (ghost-written) sports memoir by tennis player Tracy Austin (Beyond Center Court: My Story), and what it tells us about the choice top athletes must make between their athletic prowess and their intellect
about the horribly written (ghost-written) sports memoir by tennis player Tracy Austin (Beyond Center Court: My Story), and what it tells us about the choice top athletes must make between their athletic prowess and their intellect
1 / 0an investigative journalism piece for Rolling Stone in 1999 in which he trailed John McCain's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination (which of course he lost to Bush Jr). very long and very good
an investigative journalism piece for Rolling Stone in 1999 in which he trailed John McCain's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination (which of course he lost to Bush Jr). very long and very good
1 / 7an investigative journalism piece about the Maine Lobster Festival held every July that turns into a metaphysical inquiry into the ethics of boiling creatures alive so we can eat them
an investigative journalism piece about the Maine Lobster Festival held every July that turns into a metaphysical inquiry into the ethics of boiling creatures alive so we can eat them
0 / 0a review of a five-volume study of Dostoyevsky's life and times and writing, written by Comparative Lit professor at Princeton Joseph Frank. interspersed with agonising metaphysical questions within asterisks that aren't explained until later on in the text (and only as an aside on p271). loved this one
a review of a five-volume study of Dostoyevsky's life and times and writing, written by Comparative Lit professor at Princeton Joseph Frank. interspersed with agonising metaphysical questions within asterisks that aren't explained until later on in the text (and only as an aside on p271). loved this one
0 / 0this was a massive bitch to read because of the crazy footnote scheme. about John Ziegler, a sort of former Rush Limbaugh figure (radio personality in Southern California). makes some good points about the political landscape at the time (points that are still relevant today) but it was hard to enjoy this piece that much just because of the format.
this was a massive bitch to read because of the crazy footnote scheme. about John Ziegler, a sort of former Rush Limbaugh figure (radio personality in Southern California). makes some good points about the political landscape at the time (points that are still relevant today) but it was hard to enjoy this piece that much just because of the format.
0 / 1wish I could write like this when I was in college
wish I could write like this when I was in college
0 / 7excerpt from fictional futures and the conspicuously young
0 / 0