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Texter
Swedish / Svenska
- GenresFictionShort Stories
296 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
David Foster Wallace
131 books13.3k followersDavid Foster Wallace was an acclaimed American writer known for his fiction, nonfiction, and critical essays that explored the complexities of consciousness, irony, and the human condition. Widely regarded as one of the most innovative literary voices of his generation, Wallace is perhaps best known for his 1996 novel Infinite Jest, which was listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels published between 1923 and 2005. His unfinished final novel, The Pale King, was published posthumously in 2011 and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Born in Ithaca, New York, Wallace was raised in Illinois, where he excelled as both a student and a junior tennis player—a sport he later wrote about with sharp insight and humor. He earned degrees in English and philosophy from Amherst College, then completed an MFA in creative writing at the University of Arizona. His early academic work in logic and philosophy informed much of his writing, particularly in his blending of analytical depth with emotional complexity.
Wallace’s first novel, The Broom of the System (1987), established his reputation as a fresh literary talent. Over the next two decades, he published widely in prestigious journals and magazines, producing short stories, essays, and book reviews that earned him critical acclaim. His work was characterized by linguistic virtuosity, inventive structure, and a deep concern for moral and existential questions. In addition to fiction, he tackled topics ranging from tennis and state fairs to cruise ships, politics, and the ethics of food consumption.
Beyond his literary achievements, Wallace had a significant academic career, teaching literature and writing at Emerson College, Illinois State University, and Pomona College. He was known for his intense engagement with students and commitment to teaching.
Wallace struggled with depression and addiction for much of his adult life, and he was hospitalized multiple times. He died by suicide in 2008 at the age of 46. In the years since his death, his influence has continued to grow, inspiring scholars, conferences, and a dedicated readership. However, his legacy is complicated by posthumous revelations of abusive behavior, particularly during his relationship with writer Mary Karr, which has led to ongoing debate within literary and academic communities.
His distinctive voice—by turns cerebral, comic, and compassionate—remains a defining force in contemporary literature. Wallace once described fiction as a way of making readers feel "less alone inside," and it is that emotional resonance, alongside his formal daring, that continues to define his place in American letters.
Born in Ithaca, New York, Wallace was raised in Illinois, where he excelled as both a student and a junior tennis player—a sport he later wrote about with sharp insight and humor. He earned degrees in English and philosophy from Amherst College, then completed an MFA in creative writing at the University of Arizona. His early academic work in logic and philosophy informed much of his writing, particularly in his blending of analytical depth with emotional complexity.
Wallace’s first novel, The Broom of the System (1987), established his reputation as a fresh literary talent. Over the next two decades, he published widely in prestigious journals and magazines, producing short stories, essays, and book reviews that earned him critical acclaim. His work was characterized by linguistic virtuosity, inventive structure, and a deep concern for moral and existential questions. In addition to fiction, he tackled topics ranging from tennis and state fairs to cruise ships, politics, and the ethics of food consumption.
Beyond his literary achievements, Wallace had a significant academic career, teaching literature and writing at Emerson College, Illinois State University, and Pomona College. He was known for his intense engagement with students and commitment to teaching.
Wallace struggled with depression and addiction for much of his adult life, and he was hospitalized multiple times. He died by suicide in 2008 at the age of 46. In the years since his death, his influence has continued to grow, inspiring scholars, conferences, and a dedicated readership. However, his legacy is complicated by posthumous revelations of abusive behavior, particularly during his relationship with writer Mary Karr, which has led to ongoing debate within literary and academic communities.
His distinctive voice—by turns cerebral, comic, and compassionate—remains a defining force in contemporary literature. Wallace once described fiction as a way of making readers feel "less alone inside," and it is that emotional resonance, alongside his formal daring, that continues to define his place in American letters.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 27, 2023
"Joseph Frank's Dostoevsky" --- Meta and an analysis that stimulates.
"Consider the Lobster" (Tänk på hummern) --- stands tall against its literary fame. Its ability to be culturally, philosophically, scientifically, and psychologically relevant makes it a gem.
"Federer as Religious Experience" --- To have one hero write about another hero (of mine) is nothing but bliss.
"Little Expressionless Animals" --- a personal favorite, as I'm weak for savant-like heroes.
"Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" --- occasionally silly but always provocatively interesting.
"The Depressed Person" --- to be or not to be a burden to others.
"Good Old Neon" --- living as an imposter.
"This is Water" (Detta är vatten) --- appreciate the small, not always fun moments in life, and be humble because circumstances make life tough.
"Consider the Lobster" (Tänk på hummern) --- stands tall against its literary fame. Its ability to be culturally, philosophically, scientifically, and psychologically relevant makes it a gem.
"Federer as Religious Experience" --- To have one hero write about another hero (of mine) is nothing but bliss.
"Little Expressionless Animals" --- a personal favorite, as I'm weak for savant-like heroes.
"Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" --- occasionally silly but always provocatively interesting.
"The Depressed Person" --- to be or not to be a burden to others.
"Good Old Neon" --- living as an imposter.
"This is Water" (Detta är vatten) --- appreciate the small, not always fun moments in life, and be humble because circumstances make life tough.
October 12, 2025
Underbar ingång till DFW. En blandning av hans essäer och noveller och nästan allt är otroligt bra. Särskilt novellerna ur samlingen Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Beställde den och A supposedly fun thing I’ll never do again innan jag hunnit läsa klart. Sällan man blivit så tagen av ett författarskap och skamligt att så lite verkar vara översatt eller ens finnas på engelska på biblioteken med tanke på kvaliteten alltså det är en helt makalös nivå av precision och flyt och sanning och allt, han har allt den här mannen och skriver noveller bättre än Joyce de döda och bättre om tennis än Lars Gustafsson och då gör det inget att hans tankar om hummern mest är encyklopediska.
October 18, 2025
The piece about the lobster will never leave me.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews