Teatavate piiride poorsusest

by David Foster Wallace, Aet Varik (Translator)

Sajandivahetuse Ameerika kultuskirjaniku David Foster Wallace’i (1962–2008) Eesti debüüt on valimik tema lühiproosakogumikust „Lühikesed intervjuud ilgete meestega” (Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, 1999). Raamat sisaldab eksperimentaalseid, kohati provokatiivseid ja Wallace’ile omase huumoriga lugusid hüppelaua ees kartma löövast poisist, basseiniesisel terrassil peesitavast suurest luuletajast, ilmutuse saavast noormehest ja naisest ning teistest vähem või rohkem omapärastest elulistest tegelastest, kes püüavad pääseda võõrandunud maailmast ning jõuda mõtestatumate ja vahetumate suheteni.

Genres: American

104 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

David 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.

Reviews

[Merle Jürison]

Hullult eriline lugemine. Vaatan imetlusega tõlkija poole. Normaalsusest on asi kaugel.

[Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erandiks on Oktett, millele annaks 5 tärni.

[Miina Lindberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pisut väsitav sõnaohtrus. Laias laastus aga meeldis.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ehhki Oktetti ma lõpuni ei suuntud läbi lugeda, pean ma ennast siiski Wallace'i lugejaks. Väga mõnus oli lugeda neid jutte eesti keeles, ikkagi eesti keel on mulle igapäevase keelekeskonna tõttu lähedam teine keel kui inglise keel. See on pakkunud nalja ja meditatiivseid seisundeid (absoluutselt lemmik ajukeemia aeglustav jutt "Igavesti kõrgustes", umbes nagu 1990. aastate versioon sukkade proovimise ja korrigeerimise steeenist Woolfi romaanist "Majakasse").
Ja veel avastus, et lugesin Wallace'it esimest korda enne #MeToo liikumist ja ei olnud kursis kõigest, mis tema kohta avalikustus hiljem. Selline kimbatus, et see oligi üle 10 aasta eest ning on nüüd põhimõtteliselt ajalugu, aga mina siis mitte ainult juba elus olin, vaid mõtlesin ja lugesin Wallace'it. Sama ahastus nagu mu töökaaslaste õpilastel, kui nad teada said, et ta oli olemas kui Estonia hukkus.
Wallace'i "Shipping out" on minu 18-aastasse ajju siiski nii sügavalt pugenud, et tema lugemine jääb alati nostalgiliseks ja minu maailmatunnetusele lähedaseks.

[Maria Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Postmodernistlik kirjandus pole meelisžanr ja kohati mõjuvad igasugused vormilised lammutuskatsetused siin pigem tüütu kui huvitavana. Siiski on lühijuttudes teravaid, tabavaid ja painajalikke katkeid heaoluühiskonna ja kapitalismi ikkes USA elust, olles äratuntavad infoajastu lugejale. Lähedus, armastus ja harmoonia on Wallace'i järgi paratamatus lagunemises, milles on süüdi massimeedia ja inimlikkuse kadumine konkurentsiühiskonnas.

Nt Raili Marling kirjutab järelsõnas sedasi:
Kogumik maalib ärritava pildi misogüünsest naisekäsitlusest, mille järgi on igasugune tähendusrikas suhe mehe ja naise vahel välistatud. Wallace'i ilged mehed on vihased ja üksi. Jah, Wallace'i vaatenurk on kibedavõitu ja tröösitu, minnes nii mööda minu elutunnetusest.

[Jane Tiidelepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oli see vast raamat! Kordumatu lugemiselamus, originaalne ja unustamatu. Minu jaoks on ikka alati autor oma teosega üks tervik, kahjuks leidsin Wallace`i elufaktid mitte nii väga meeldivat olevat, aga see ei kahanda raamtu väärtust. Või siiski teeb seda...ei suuda otsustada.

[Elvis Kollom · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Hüppelaud on pikk."

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vaimustav stiil.

[Olger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aplaus tõlkijale.