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My most recent single release - "My True North" - is now available on Bandcamp. Open my profile and click on "audio clip".

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Missing David Foster Wallace

Have you ever missed someone you never knew personally? I miss the author David Foster Wallace.

Although probably best known for the novel "Infinite Jest" (a book I have yet to crack), I got a serious jones for Wallace reading two of his essay collections - "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" & "Consider the Lobster". Knowing there will never be another book of Wallace essays (a posthumous novel, "Pale King", was just released) makes me sincerely sad. He had a staggering intellect coupled with a real fondness for goofy colloquial language. Reading him feels like being in a world class library with funhouse mirrors.

There are many artists I've enjoyed in my life whose work I miss - John Lennon's and Laura Nyro's music; Robert Altman's films; John Updike's books. I'm not sure why in Wallace's case it feels more personal, but it does. Have you ever had an experience like this? If so, please share it with me and others. 

2 comments:

  1. I also miss Lennon a lot. His music, or what music might have come out of him had he lived. But even more so, his way of being in the world, the sharp, intelligent quips, the acerbic wit and the vulnerablity. I really thought of John as an older "brother". I really "got" what he was tying to do. He is one of the few figures whose words in print or photos still seem so alive. It's just a visceral reaction and a personal treasure. Thanks, Pat, for bringing up the subject. P.S. The "new" posting method works just fine!

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  2. Steve; Thanks for your comment. I'm pleased this posting resonated enough w/you that you wrote. Hope to see more from you.

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