Everything There Is

Man, like many people, I’m deeply saddened by David Foster Wallace’s death.

I checked Infinite Jest out of the library in 2001 and couldn’t put it down. I even stuffed the 1000+ page hardcover into my backpack for a trip to Italy because I couldn’t stop reading it. After that, I checked out everything else he’d written, and anxiously awaited any new release, except for that book about infinity, which I have at home and should get down to reading, but just couldn’t get into upon its publication.. I would say he isn’t just my favorite author, but he’s my favorite artist across all mediums. I feel that the overall quality of life is diminished by the fact that there will never be another new David Foster Wallace release. Of course, there will be the posthumous release or releases. I’m sure he’ll get nice treatment by Library of America, too, and I’ll have to track down whatever journalistic pieces I can find that I haven’t read.

Like many, I was shocked by the news of his death. Wallace, along with his intelligence, insight and humor, always displayed a great store of humanity and compassion. The story, “Good Old Neon,” is expressly about suicide, among other things, but it portrayed suicide as a choice one needn’t make. Wallace’s writings were always imbued with hope. When he made the commencement address at Kenyon in 2005, he gave the students an outline on how to live life in a meaningful way, discussing what he considered some of his flaws, along the way. I don’t want to speculate on what drove him to his death at 46.

I work at a college library. I assumed when I searched for our David Foster Wallace titles, I’d find they were all checked out. That’s not the case now, although a couple titles have been charged. I imagine they’ll soon all go off the shelves as people revisit Wallace or check him out for the first time.

I’m not the kind of person who wants first editions or autographs or who wants to get pictures with celebrities. A friend once asked me if, given the chance, I’d like to have a conversation with David Foster Wallace. I told that friend I’d probably be too intimidated. I’m rambling a little now. Back to the first editions thing, I always figured one day I’d get a nice collection of David Foster Wallace titles, maybe subsequent editions, too. Now, I think I just want to get a copy of each title, whatever is available at a book store, just so I have them, so I know they are there.

McSweeney’s is running a tribute to Wallace now, which is well worth checking out.