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The Planet Trillaphon as It Stands in Relation to the Bad Thing
The first story in The David Foster Wallace Reader, "The Planet Trillaphon as It Stands in Relation to the Bad Thing" was published in the Amherst Review when Wallace was an undergraduate there. It is an astonishing exploration of psychological pain and self-consciousness. This is his first published piece of fiction.
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 1984
2 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
David Foster Wallace
129 books13k 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 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 6, 2019
In this short, very early (first published in 1984) essay David Foster Wallace describes his very own version of depression and how his life changed ever since he started taking anti depressants. His report is very honest, candid and direct, he holds nothing back and describes in great detail his delusion, his first suicide attempt and how he experiences his disorder and everything that comes with it. I "enjoyed" the text - as far as you can "enjoy" such a topic - and valued the author's style and direct approach. It was interesting and educational/helpful at the same time.
For me, as an affected relative/loved one, this is yet another important piece of a puzzle I'm never going to solve 100% - but sometimes, just knowing I've discovered another corner piece that helps me unsolve a small part of said puzzle is a small success. Unless I'm affected myself, I will probably never really understand what depression feels like - not just because it's so hard to grasp but also because it comes in so many different shapes - but DFW's explanations added another layer of understanding, which I greatly appreciate - as well as the audio version, which was once more read by the fantastic Lars Eidinger. The German audio is avalaible for free at the usual sources (Spotify, Deezer et. al), the English text is available over here.
This was my first encounter with DFW, and even though it's a very early work of him and probably not a guideline to his later works (there's not a single footnote in this one, for instance), I'm looking forward to read more at a later point (I still have the Der Spaß an der Sache, the German edition of all his essays, sitting on my nightstand, so there's a longish reading project ahead).
For me, as an affected relative/loved one, this is yet another important piece of a puzzle I'm never going to solve 100% - but sometimes, just knowing I've discovered another corner piece that helps me unsolve a small part of said puzzle is a small success. Unless I'm affected myself, I will probably never really understand what depression feels like - not just because it's so hard to grasp but also because it comes in so many different shapes - but DFW's explanations added another layer of understanding, which I greatly appreciate - as well as the audio version, which was once more read by the fantastic Lars Eidinger. The German audio is avalaible for free at the usual sources (Spotify, Deezer et. al), the English text is available over here.
This was my first encounter with DFW, and even though it's a very early work of him and probably not a guideline to his later works (there's not a single footnote in this one, for instance), I'm looking forward to read more at a later point (I still have the Der Spaß an der Sache, the German edition of all his essays, sitting on my nightstand, so there's a longish reading project ahead).
February 11, 2022
Im Text "Der Planet Trillaphon im Verhältnis zur üblen Sache" beschreibt DFW sehr authentisch und offen die Depression, an der er seit Schultagen gelitten hat. Er lässt uns Anteil haben, an den Erfahrungen, Gefühlen und Leiden, die für ihn damit in Verbindung stehen.
Mich hat DFW seinerzeit mit "Unendlicher Spaß" sehr begeistert und dass insbesondere mit den sehr eindringlichen und überzeugenden Schilderungen von Depressionen. Im Roman wird das auf fiktiver Ebene nahe gebracht, während der Autor hier aus seinem eigenen Leben erzählt, so dass die Wirkung bei der Leserin noch mal heftiger ist. Umso mehr, als dass sehr passende Sprachbilder und pointiert gesetzte Selbstironie den Text literarisch aufwerten.
Ich habe den Text von Lars Eidinger gelesen angehört und während dessen mehrfach das Gefühl gehabt, dass sich mir Brust und Magen zusammenziehen. Die schonungslosen Beschreibungen des Leidens an dieser psychischen Krankheit haben mich emotional unglaublich gefordert und mitgenommen. Jeder Satz wirkte glaubhaft und absolut nachvollziehbar, so dass der Eindruck entsteht, nach der Lektüre, ein sehr viel besseres Verständnis für die Problematik zu haben, als davor.
DFW punktet hier für mich auf jeder Ebene, der emotionalen, auf der, der Wissensvermittlung, der erzählerischen und der sprachlichen. Unbedingte, dringende Lese- bzw. HÖREMPFEHLUNG.
Mich hat DFW seinerzeit mit "Unendlicher Spaß" sehr begeistert und dass insbesondere mit den sehr eindringlichen und überzeugenden Schilderungen von Depressionen. Im Roman wird das auf fiktiver Ebene nahe gebracht, während der Autor hier aus seinem eigenen Leben erzählt, so dass die Wirkung bei der Leserin noch mal heftiger ist. Umso mehr, als dass sehr passende Sprachbilder und pointiert gesetzte Selbstironie den Text literarisch aufwerten.
Ich habe den Text von Lars Eidinger gelesen angehört und während dessen mehrfach das Gefühl gehabt, dass sich mir Brust und Magen zusammenziehen. Die schonungslosen Beschreibungen des Leidens an dieser psychischen Krankheit haben mich emotional unglaublich gefordert und mitgenommen. Jeder Satz wirkte glaubhaft und absolut nachvollziehbar, so dass der Eindruck entsteht, nach der Lektüre, ein sehr viel besseres Verständnis für die Problematik zu haben, als davor.
DFW punktet hier für mich auf jeder Ebene, der emotionalen, auf der, der Wissensvermittlung, der erzählerischen und der sprachlichen. Unbedingte, dringende Lese- bzw. HÖREMPFEHLUNG.
January 14, 2023
good. intense. devastating. may be the best essay ive ever read
September 28, 2021
Depressing and insightful...
February 8, 2025
"The Planet Trillaphon as it Stands in Relation to the Bad Thing" ist eine autofiktionale Kurzgeschichte von David Foster Wallace. Seine erste Veröffentlichung überhaupt, im Alter von 22 Jahren in der Studienzeitung des Amherst College. Es geht um einen depressiven Studenten, der "Planet Trillaphon" wird durch die Einnahme von Antidepressiva erreicht und das "Bad Thing" ist die Depression. Der Student beschreibt diese selbstgewählten Bezeichnungen und die Erfahrungen, Gedanken, Gefühle, die mit ihnen in Verbindung stehen.
Ich habe schnell einen Zugang zu der Erzählung gefunden, Wallace schreibt hier in klarem und einfachem Englisch über Neurosen, Halluzinationen und tragische Erlebnisse eines jungen Menschen. Dieser unverblümte, fingierte Erfahrungsbericht eines depressiven Studenten hat mich über kurze Distanz schon berührt, weil er sowohl realistische Ausdrucksstärke besitzt, als auch poetische Momente hat.
3,5/5
Die 16 Seiten kann man hier nachlesen:
https://quomodocumque.wordpress.com/w...
Ich habe schnell einen Zugang zu der Erzählung gefunden, Wallace schreibt hier in klarem und einfachem Englisch über Neurosen, Halluzinationen und tragische Erlebnisse eines jungen Menschen. Dieser unverblümte, fingierte Erfahrungsbericht eines depressiven Studenten hat mich über kurze Distanz schon berührt, weil er sowohl realistische Ausdrucksstärke besitzt, als auch poetische Momente hat.
3,5/5
Die 16 Seiten kann man hier nachlesen:
https://quomodocumque.wordpress.com/w...
November 18, 2024
i have never experienced depression, thank god, and i hope i never will. since i have many close people that suffer from depression for many years now, i try to understand as much as i can, even though it is hard to understand. depression comes in many shapes and forms and is incredibly difficult to fight against. in university i‘m taking a course about the philosophy of depression and learned a lot about its phenomenology and possible answers of why people are depressed (such as freud or fromm).
wallace‘s description was very helpful even though painful to read. it is direct and honest and shows what is happening mentally and physically, why comitting suicide mustn‘t be prevented at all times and why antidepressants aren‘t the easy cure-it-all. highly recommend reading it. i surely understand more now.
wallace‘s description was very helpful even though painful to read. it is direct and honest and shows what is happening mentally and physically, why comitting suicide mustn‘t be prevented at all times and why antidepressants aren‘t the easy cure-it-all. highly recommend reading it. i surely understand more now.
January 24, 2022
ein frühwerk, das sich im stil bemerkenswert absetzt von dfws späterer prosa. nur der ton des ich-erzählers deutet bereits an, wie wallace in infinite jest etwa hal incandenza sprechen lässt.
alles in allem eine recht konventionell aufgebaute erzählung, die in ihren anlagen bereits auf die späteren werke verweist, mit ihnen jedoch nicht mithalten kann.
alles in allem eine recht konventionell aufgebaute erzählung, die in ihren anlagen bereits auf die späteren werke verweist, mit ihnen jedoch nicht mithalten kann.
October 5, 2021
The first writing of the great departed DF Wallace. In my reading group we had a discussion about depression so I googled to find out if he wrote something on it, knowing that it was the disease he fought all his life against.
The story is short but very intensive and eye-opening. If you had any questions regarding depression, if you were in any sort of denial concerning its seriousness, this is the story you need to read.
I am sooo glad that the people in my group got to know Wallace.
The story is short but very intensive and eye-opening. If you had any questions regarding depression, if you were in any sort of denial concerning its seriousness, this is the story you need to read.
I am sooo glad that the people in my group got to know Wallace.
April 22, 2020
this made me nauseous, but in a way of feeling so exposed that it was just overwhelming. this is so raw and gripping. i wish i could explain the way i feel like he does. dfw, looking forward to talking with you again.
February 13, 2020
Read in English
September 8, 2015
Bit of a money grab to be honest, but that's what you get when you're riding on the coattails of both DFW's and Blumenbach's recent success.
The story itself is a poignant analysis of depression - maybe not as good as The Depressed Person from Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, but still better than most literary representations of it (Hyperbole and a Half still takes the cake though!).
Somewhat atypical to DFW's later works, but it's one of his earliest stories (has anyone else read those from his elementary/early secondary school days?). All in all a good read for a short coffee break.
The story itself is a poignant analysis of depression - maybe not as good as The Depressed Person from Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, but still better than most literary representations of it (Hyperbole and a Half still takes the cake though!).
Somewhat atypical to DFW's later works, but it's one of his earliest stories (has anyone else read those from his elementary/early secondary school days?). All in all a good read for a short coffee break.
March 19, 2022
i never read anything from Wallace. it feels like I found a (for me) hidden treasure. definitely not my last read from him.
i enjoyed his writing style. respect for how he found the words for this monster called depression
i enjoyed his writing style. respect for how he found the words for this monster called depression
June 20, 2015
Wahnsinnig interessante Darstellung eines Umstands, der für Nicht-betroffene schwer nachvollziehbar ist.
Allerdings etwas zu kurz, um ein eigenes Buch zu sein.
Dennoch des Lesens wert.
Allerdings etwas zu kurz, um ein eigenes Buch zu sein.
Dennoch des Lesens wert.
February 4, 2023
" Es ist eine reine Formsache, einen Sachverhalt herzustellen , dessen Substanz schon längst in ihnen existierte "
October 22, 2023
5/5 ⭐️
David Foster Wallace beschreibt sehr authentisch, wie es sich anfühlt Depressionen zu haben. Er nutzt eine Reihe von vielen wunderschönen Metaphern, um dem Leser nahe zu bringen, wie man mit Menschen mit Depressionen umgehen sollte und wie es sich anfühlt, Antidepressiva zu nehmen.
David Foster Wallace beschreibt sehr authentisch, wie es sich anfühlt Depressionen zu haben. Er nutzt eine Reihe von vielen wunderschönen Metaphern, um dem Leser nahe zu bringen, wie man mit Menschen mit Depressionen umgehen sollte und wie es sich anfühlt, Antidepressiva zu nehmen.
May 5, 2024
(re-read)
September 22, 2021
Das Buch fand ich sehr hilfreich, um einmal in die Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt von jemandem mit Depressionen einzutauchen. Hilft mir hoffentlich dabei, das besser zu verstehen, wenn ich im Umfeld mitbekomme, dass bei jemandem eine Depression festgestellt wurde. Hätte mich gefreut, wenn die Erzählung noch länger und ausführlicher gewesen wäre, ist aber auf jeden Fall schon mal ein guter Beginn.
May 31, 2022
This review is not only for "The Planet Trillaphon[...]", but is a review for "Collected Uncollected Writings", a PDF floating around online which, as you might have guessed, collects all the previously uncollected writings of David Foster Wallace.
I'll give the contents with rating first and then write a bit about some of them, "x" indicates that I've deemed the piece to short to rate.
Fiction:
6/10 - The Planet Trillaphon[...]
4/10 - Other Math
7/10 - Solomon Silverfish
5/10 - Crash of '69
4/10 - Order and Flux in Northampton
x/10 - Rabbit Resurrected
x/10 - The Fifth Column[...]
x/10 - Brief Interview #16
7/10 - All That
Nonfiction:
x/10 - Matters of Sense and Opacity
x/10 - The Horror of Pretentiousness
x/10 - Forth Wayne is Seventh on Hitler's List
x/10 - The Million-Dollar Tattoo
x/10 - Exploring Inner Space
x/10 - Tragic Cuban Émigré and a tale of[...]
x/10 - Presley as Pardigm
x/10 - Portrait of an Eye
x/10 - Iris' Story: An Inversion of Philosophical Scepticism
x/10 - Letter to Michael Pietsch
x/10 - Quo Vadis – Introduction
x/10 - God Bless You, Mr. Franzen
x/10 - Letter to Don Delillo
7/10 - The Flexicon
x/10 - 100-Word Statement
7/10 - This is Water
It is not really a surprise that these writings for the most part aren't up to snuff with DFW's collected works, since you would guess they have been omitted for a reason. There is however plenty to be found here for avid readers of DFW:
Most non-fiction here essentially boild down to DFW reviewing books, most of which he likes and recommends; but do not expect these reviews to sprawl beyond the confinements of the reviewing genre as other DFW pieces like "Authority and American Usage" or "The Empty Plenum" – most of these realy are just brief reviews. That is not to say that he does not offer intriguing viewpoints in some of these – he most definetly does.
You already know "This is Water". It's good.
The two letters give some insight into who DFW was as a person, I believe. They show him in a mode different from the one where he knows he might be widely read. "Don DeLillo is arguably the best living fiction writer in the United States", DFW writes in "Iris' Story", and it really shows in "Letter to Don Delillo".
The fiction, then?
"The Planet Trillaphon" is, fine, I guess? It clearly displays a younger, less refined DFW. It has its merits, but is mostly interesting not as a work in itself, but rather by virtue of the insight it gives w/r/t DFW:s intellectual and literary development, considering it predates any other short story collected previously.
A valid reason for "Solomon Silverfish" being omitted from Girl With Curious Hair eludes me; it is an amusing and touching short story that feels genuinly tender at points. "All That" could be a Pale King fragment, and possibly is, with all virtues that come with it.
The two remaining longer pieces, "Order and Flux in Northampton" and "Crash of '69" are unimpressive, and reads like bad postmodern self-pardoy, intentional or not.
The shorter fiction pieces are nothing to write home about. But then again it takes no more than a couple of minutes to read them.
I'll give the contents with rating first and then write a bit about some of them, "x" indicates that I've deemed the piece to short to rate.
Fiction:
6/10 - The Planet Trillaphon[...]
4/10 - Other Math
7/10 - Solomon Silverfish
5/10 - Crash of '69
4/10 - Order and Flux in Northampton
x/10 - Rabbit Resurrected
x/10 - The Fifth Column[...]
x/10 - Brief Interview #16
7/10 - All That
Nonfiction:
x/10 - Matters of Sense and Opacity
x/10 - The Horror of Pretentiousness
x/10 - Forth Wayne is Seventh on Hitler's List
x/10 - The Million-Dollar Tattoo
x/10 - Exploring Inner Space
x/10 - Tragic Cuban Émigré and a tale of[...]
x/10 - Presley as Pardigm
x/10 - Portrait of an Eye
x/10 - Iris' Story: An Inversion of Philosophical Scepticism
x/10 - Letter to Michael Pietsch
x/10 - Quo Vadis – Introduction
x/10 - God Bless You, Mr. Franzen
x/10 - Letter to Don Delillo
7/10 - The Flexicon
x/10 - 100-Word Statement
7/10 - This is Water
It is not really a surprise that these writings for the most part aren't up to snuff with DFW's collected works, since you would guess they have been omitted for a reason. There is however plenty to be found here for avid readers of DFW:
Most non-fiction here essentially boild down to DFW reviewing books, most of which he likes and recommends; but do not expect these reviews to sprawl beyond the confinements of the reviewing genre as other DFW pieces like "Authority and American Usage" or "The Empty Plenum" – most of these realy are just brief reviews. That is not to say that he does not offer intriguing viewpoints in some of these – he most definetly does.
You already know "This is Water". It's good.
The two letters give some insight into who DFW was as a person, I believe. They show him in a mode different from the one where he knows he might be widely read. "Don DeLillo is arguably the best living fiction writer in the United States", DFW writes in "Iris' Story", and it really shows in "Letter to Don Delillo".
The fiction, then?
"The Planet Trillaphon" is, fine, I guess? It clearly displays a younger, less refined DFW. It has its merits, but is mostly interesting not as a work in itself, but rather by virtue of the insight it gives w/r/t DFW:s intellectual and literary development, considering it predates any other short story collected previously.
A valid reason for "Solomon Silverfish" being omitted from Girl With Curious Hair eludes me; it is an amusing and touching short story that feels genuinly tender at points. "All That" could be a Pale King fragment, and possibly is, with all virtues that come with it.
The two remaining longer pieces, "Order and Flux in Northampton" and "Crash of '69" are unimpressive, and reads like bad postmodern self-pardoy, intentional or not.
The shorter fiction pieces are nothing to write home about. But then again it takes no more than a couple of minutes to read them.
October 16, 2024
"I've been on antidepressants for, what, about a year now, and I suppose I feel as if I'm pretty qualified to tell what they're like. They're fine, really, but they're fine in the same way that, say, living on another planet that was warm and comfortable and had food and fresh water would be fine: it would be fine, but it wouldn't be good old Earth, obviously. I haven't been on Earth now for almost a year, because I wasn't doing very well on Earth."
This is the second David Foster Wallace story/essay I've somehow stumbled upon during post-reading research on other books, and already it feels like I'm developing quite a compulsive interest in his work. This is a brilliant mind dump of introspection about detachment from your own life, left to flounder on an alien planet dominated by the titular bad thing—depression—and it's by far one of the most authentic and poignant explorations into the inner workings of someone struggling with mental illness I've come across, capturing the absurdity and hopelessness with almost otherworldly imagery and wit, both so poetic and matter-of-fact. Now, I have to gather the courage for Infinite Jest so I can enjoy his writing for a thousand more pages.
This is the second David Foster Wallace story/essay I've somehow stumbled upon during post-reading research on other books, and already it feels like I'm developing quite a compulsive interest in his work. This is a brilliant mind dump of introspection about detachment from your own life, left to flounder on an alien planet dominated by the titular bad thing—depression—and it's by far one of the most authentic and poignant explorations into the inner workings of someone struggling with mental illness I've come across, capturing the absurdity and hopelessness with almost otherworldly imagery and wit, both so poetic and matter-of-fact. Now, I have to gather the courage for Infinite Jest so I can enjoy his writing for a thousand more pages.
April 18, 2021
This line is good:
A precursor to Hal's breakdown?
A Hegelian dialectic:
Thesis: Early Wallace fiction (Broom of the System and Girl with Curious Hair) has Wallace's cleverness working at full force. But it also rings kinda hollow. Like an ingenious clockwork device which achieves nothing despite its intricate machinations. Or a Rube Goldberg contraption.
Antithesis: However, this instance of early Wallace non-fiction is soulful, beaten down, real. When cleverness is on display, it's not in service of showing off or intellectual play, it's simply the path of least resistence to being understood. It's bleak and I'm reminded of Eeyore.
Synthesis: By Infinite Jest we have an integration of these two components. There is intellect and there is soul, and they're not at odds with one another. The intellect is a channel for the soul. Or is grounded in the soul. Or something.
I have always tried to avoid talking to pretty girls, because pretty girls have a vicious effect on me in which every part of my brain is shut down except for the part that says unbelievably stupid things and the part that is aware that I am saying unbelievably stupid things.
A precursor to Hal's breakdown?
A Hegelian dialectic:
Thesis: Early Wallace fiction (Broom of the System and Girl with Curious Hair) has Wallace's cleverness working at full force. But it also rings kinda hollow. Like an ingenious clockwork device which achieves nothing despite its intricate machinations. Or a Rube Goldberg contraption.
Antithesis: However, this instance of early Wallace non-fiction is soulful, beaten down, real. When cleverness is on display, it's not in service of showing off or intellectual play, it's simply the path of least resistence to being understood. It's bleak and I'm reminded of Eeyore.
Synthesis: By Infinite Jest we have an integration of these two components. There is intellect and there is soul, and they're not at odds with one another. The intellect is a channel for the soul. Or is grounded in the soul. Or something.
October 5, 2021
Not gonna mention the obvious name of that czech writer but I got to say that this piece is also kind of reminiscent of Borges short stories. Well its nice to know that DFW started writing so close to fantastic, 'non-realist' literature before his more 'self-help', sentimental, psychological take but its really depressing as well to know that there's more people who love This Is Water or any other famous non-fiction instead of this great short story which, by the way, already should have been used as a prologue to one or other of his novels or just at least being formally at a short story collection. Rest in peace, DFW, rest in peace...
June 5, 2023
A heartbreaking look into the battle against depression. The narrator's treatment comes in a prescription drug, his one-way ticket to the planet Trillaphon. For the narrator, nothing feels quite real; his battle is fought in another world, yet he is imprisoned by his condition on "Earth."
March 27, 2022
Eidinger hat einen wahnsinnigen Job geleistet!
Die Story war unglaublich bedrückend aber doch schön.
Die Story war unglaublich bedrückend aber doch schön.
April 11, 2022
An incredibly well written story that gives the reader insight into what it may feel like to go through a psychotic depression.
January 1, 2023
An amazing story. Everyone should read this
February 4, 2023
The Bad Thing is you, you are the Bad Thing yourself
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2023
Wallace‘s line of argumentation is understandable. Nevertheless I think it is quite astonishing how he himself sees him in connection to the ‘Bad Thing’.
June 13, 2024
He gets it.
October 12, 2025
Llegué acá después de leer el artículo de María Bustillos sobre DFW y la cantidad de libros de autoayuda que encontraron en su librería.
Es como una mirada microscópica sobre Avril Incandenza y la verdad que esconde. Una manera de entender por qué le daba tanta vergüenza que su madre leyera La Broma Infinita.
Sí, cada vez siento que lo entiendo más. A él. A una idea. Porque entender es entender ideas. Y leer para curarse, leer para entenderse, es creerse que uno mismo es una idea.
Si conviene o no esa creencia lo dejo para que lo piensen los habitantes de Trillaphon. Acá en la tierra caeríamos en algo demasiado Good Old Neonesco.
Y como no quiero caerme conscientemente, me pregunto: ¿cómo puede alguien ser quien soy yo mejor que quien soy yo misma…?
Me quedo con la cita de Rimbaud: “Yo es otro.”
Y este yo daría lo que sea por ir a Trillaphon, aunque sea por un ratito.
Es como una mirada microscópica sobre Avril Incandenza y la verdad que esconde. Una manera de entender por qué le daba tanta vergüenza que su madre leyera La Broma Infinita.
Sí, cada vez siento que lo entiendo más. A él. A una idea. Porque entender es entender ideas. Y leer para curarse, leer para entenderse, es creerse que uno mismo es una idea.
Si conviene o no esa creencia lo dejo para que lo piensen los habitantes de Trillaphon. Acá en la tierra caeríamos en algo demasiado Good Old Neonesco.
Y como no quiero caerme conscientemente, me pregunto: ¿cómo puede alguien ser quien soy yo mejor que quien soy yo misma…?
Me quedo con la cita de Rimbaud: “Yo es otro.”
Y este yo daría lo que sea por ir a Trillaphon, aunque sea por un ratito.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews