ARCHIVED: Remembering author David Foster Wallace

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Share your thoughts about David Foster Wallace and his work

From the Los Angeles Times

It was 1996 when I first read Girl With Curious Hair in Italian translation. I was 17, and it really changed my view of American contemporary literaure. Since then, I looked for and enjoyed many of DFW books. It was a great shock to apprehend the news of this great loss. Life will be less fun, and less interesting, now that David's gone. We will miss him.

Buzz @ 1:24 PM PDT, Oct 8, 2008
Hello David, i'm writting from Colombia. I knew about your death yesterday and i felt shocked, now i'm just sad. You´re the best, it's such a shame you're no longer with us. Knew your work just a year ago, and I haven't been able to read that much but the one book that is on my hands (Girl With Curios Hair) changed my perspective on litterature, culture, and, yes, a cliché but it's true, life it self. Promise I will read Infinite Jest and the rest of your work; keep writing from wherever you are, there's no other like you around. R.I.P David Foster Wallace

Emil @ 10:16 PM PDT, Sep 24, 2008
I was a student in the first writing course DFW taught.He was someone who gave a crap in a river deep/mountain high way.He made a point to review my writing with a startling precision.His class changed things.When youre standing at the pool with your toe in the shallow end,its nice to have a strong swimmer tell you that youre ready for deeper water.Surely there are hundreds like me - encouraged by him when it mattered most.I think the regret felt when one has gone this way is that we werent able to point to the path out of sadness.I am thankful he was kind enough to point the way&heartbroken knowing Ill never meet him on that road again.

KAREN IDELSON @ 10:24 PM PDT, Sep 23, 2008
I don't beleve his suicide had anything to do with his genius. Many people just don't understand how devastating severe depression can be. In some cases nothing the doctors can do will help. I read that Wallace had shock treatments which today is used only as a last resort. To those of you who automatically assume Wallace took his life because he was self-absorbed or a misoginist or whatever, I can only say that I am amazed by your presumption.

Norman Lee @ 8:28 PM PDT, Sep 23, 2008
Never met the man in person,but reading thie internet and watching family guy on tv,they showed his death notice after each show ,I'd learn that theres more about this man than everyone has ever known.In these trouble times,this man wrote and thought about what he belives in to the point of making people think for once,drove him to kill himself.He'll be missed

michael d.trimm @ 8:01 AM PDT, Sep 23, 2008
I am heartsick to think you could not go on. If for no other reason than to see this crazy election shake out. I & my mom loved your stuff. Christmas of 2002, we spoke on the phone about your dog, sick with cancer and how you convened with vets for his treatment. You finally lost him. In your profound sadness you were amazingly thoughful to send my mom all of your books with a personal note. It was the best gift ever! I am glad you found love with Karen. Too short for so powerful a love as yours. So very sorry for your family, your wife, your animals. Rest peacefully, sweet Prince.

PHYLLIS MATEGRANO @ 12:42 PM PDT, Sep 21, 2008
I do not know enough of Wallaces work only two unforgettable pieces I read years ago, introduced to me by a gifted writer I once tried to love. I do know that Wallace understood and encouraged reading as a cure for loneliness. And based on that service alone, such a person is essential to this world. To his family I offer an acknowledgement of deep sorrow and the hope that their sadness will somehow be lessened if they can see how much he meant, not to the angry and I imagine, even lonelier few who post ill comments, but to the many whose lives Wallace affected for the better the ultimate legacy of a true giver.

L.A. @ 11:42 AM PDT, Sep 21, 2008
He was being very heavily medicated, he said. Hed been in the hospital a couple of times over the summer and had undergone electro-convulsive therapy. Everything had been tried, and he just couldnt stand it anymore. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/books/15wallace.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

Doesn't matter @ 7:17 AM PDT, Sep 21, 2008
so sorry I don't have anything more original to say to his family other than it's such a shame that he died so young. dfw was an exceptionally talented writer and will be greatly missed.

sarah @ 12:15 AM PDT, Sep 21, 2008
His writing would not appeal to everyone and it would not make good sense to a great deal of the people. His caring for the students he taught is mentioned over and over and when someone decides to commit suicide, at that moment in time, the will to die is stronger than the will to live has ever been. RIP and I respect his decision, whatever his reasons. Remember his works and that for a short while, he was like a brilliant star.

brendabracey @ 8:44 PM PDT, Sep 20, 2008
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