We made our hosts read (some of)  Infinite Jest, the thousand-page novel by David Foster Wallace that turns 30 this month, to answer the question once and for all: Do we have to read this book?

The publishing world hailed Wallace as a genius voice of his generation when Infinite Jest became a bestseller in 1996. Interest in the book has spiked many times since then: with Wallace’ death by suicide in 2008; again after accusations in 2012 that he had abused and stalked women; and again now that Infinite Jest is 30. If you want to check it out from the Seattle Public Library, you'll have to get in line. But there’s no hold time for this episode of Meet Me Here.

This episode discusses sexual assault and stalking. Please take care while listening.

Guest: KUOW producer Will James 

Book recommendations:

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
• Lit by Mary Karr
• On the Road by Jack Kerouac
• Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
• We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

 

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:
Merlantis at Base Camp Studios in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, through March 27

My Circus Valentine at the Bellingham Circus Guild, Feb. 12-14, 20 & 21

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