Infinite Jest cover
Buy it on Amazon

An overview of

Infinite Jest
by David Foster Wallace

2.Little, Brown and Companya a.1996

Who would die for this chance to be fed this death of pleasure with spoons, in their warm homes, alone, unmoving? Hugh Steeply



Infinite Jest summarized (in two sentences or less)


Infinite Jest is a sprawling tale that revolves around a fatally entertaining film cartridge that leaves viewers incapacitated by pleasure. As various factions seek to control the film, the lives of characters—ranging from tennis prodigies to recovering addicts—intertwine, exploring themes of addiction, entertainment, and the human condition.


Infinite Jest Trivia and/or (Un)fun Facts


Length Matters: Infinite Jest comprises around 325,000 words, give or take—but the manuscript was originally even longer. Wallace cut about 250,000 words before publication.

Real Locations: Enfield Tennis Academy is based on a real place. Wallace was a regionally ranked junior tennis player and drew on his experiences.

Cult Status: There’s a fan-created holiday dedicated to the book called “Infinite Summer,” where people try to read the entire book during summer.


Why Infinite Jest Is Challenging


There are 388 endnotes, some of which run for several pages.

One in particular runs for eight.

And, considering that the book is almost 1100 pages long and weighs about 2.5 pounds, the book's physical unwieldiness is itself a form of ergodicity. And so it is an entertainment that is an enormous hassle to enjoy.

Which makes the whole experience a piece good-natured ridicule.

A jest, if you will.

Why Infinite Jest Is Worth Reading


Infinite Jest is special because it's an ambitious cocktail of themes—addiction, entertainment, technology, and the human condition—all wrapped in dense prose and footnotes. It's like a puzzle that teaches you how to solve it as you go, engaging both your intellect and emotions. Plus, you get bragging rights just for finishing it.

How to Read Infinite Jest


Multiple Bookmarks: One for where you are in the narrative, and another for the footnotes. You’ll be flipping back and forth a lot.

Take Notes: Yeah, I know it sounds like a chore, but this is one book where jotting down character names and connections will pay off.

Embrace the Complexity: Don’t expect traditional plot structure or closure. This book is more like a jigsaw puzzle; enjoy piecing it together.

Discussion Questions about Infinite Jest


Infinite Jest Research Prompts for Postdocs:

    How does the text complicate the borders between high and low culture as viewed through the lens of scholarly research?

    Is the Sierpiński Gasket model a suitable metaphor for the novel’s structure? Why or why not?

    How does the novel handle the tension between individual experience and collective history, especially in an academic setting?


Infinite Jest Conversation Starters for Normal People:

    How does Wallace’s portrayal of the Entertainment parallel or critique binge-watching and streaming culture?

    In what ways does Wallace employ postmodern techniques to dissect or comment on mental health?

    How does Wallace use language and jargon—whether it’s the slang of the addicts or the technical language of the tennis players—to create or critique communities?


Questions about Infinite Jest that you can ask your dog:

    In the book, people watch shows that are so fun, they can’t stop watching! What’s your favorite show? Is it okay to watch it all day?

    There’s a part in the book where people have to make choices, some good and some not so good. Have you ever had to make a choice between two things? What did you choose?

    Some people in the book go on a big adventure to find something special. If you could go on an adventure, where would you go?


The Most Amusing Infinite Jest Review I Can Find


This either gets no stars or four stars, I don't even know any more.

★★☆☆☆
—Elsa via Goodreads

Articles About Infinite Jest