Wallace chose philosophical fiction over philosophy because he saw fiction as the better chance to connect with his readers. He wanted to confront philosophical problems by making them concrete. He counted on fiction's "ability to talk meaningfully to us." Because of this intent, his fiction exists in inextricable relationship with his nonfiction, and his overall work is characterized by consistency in subject matter and variation in perspective, weaving fiction, nonfiction, literature, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and science to try to find the truth and in it salvation from despair.