Infinite Jest is a huge novel by a writer drawing on the works of postmodern masters such as Thomas Pynchon, John Barth, and William Gaddis. There are layers and allusions and meanings that only reveal themselves through close reading, study, and previous knowledge. I don’t have training in postmodern literature — I haven’t read Lacan and Derrida and all the other prerequisites of a degree in literature.
What I do have is a friend from college, Marshall Boswell, who literally wrote the book on it: Understanding David Foster Wallace. Discovering his book back in the aughts set me on my third re-read of Infinite Jest, which was an even deeper experience for me as a result. In it, he covers all of Wallace’s fiction, from his debut novel Broom of the System (which really is a calling card for Infinite Jest), through his short stories, and up to his posthumously published novel, The Pale King.
So, I’m incredibly lucky to have Marshall join me for this episode of The Back Half podcast to dive into the legacy of Wallace and the continued influence of Infinite Jest on today’s generation of students and writers. Bonus: a cool discussion about the ongoing efforts to maybe, someday, bring Infinite Jest to the screen. We also get into how prescient Wallace was in writing a novel where Canada has become a frenemy, the occupant of the White House is a mentally unstable entertainer, and the instant availability of entertainment has changed the cultural landscape. He got a lot right! He also got some stuff wrong and we get into that, too.
Marshall is a professor of American Literature and Fiction Writing at Rhodes College in Memphis. He’s also the author of the short story collection Trouble with Girls and the novel Alternative Atlanta. He was kind enough to join me for the Back Half podcast to talk about Infinite Jest, its ongoing place in American culture, its status as a Gen X work of art, and how students are reacting to the novel in the present day.
Listen here on Substack, on Apple Podcasts, or watch the video version on YouTube.
