This is a book that’s been on my to-read list for ages and I’m finally mustering the courage (well, patience) to read it. There’s no doubt Wallace was incredibly bright and l absolutely loved the insights from his essays and interviews, but to dive into a brick of a book that became the siren call of the hipster generation?

I had my serious hesitations.

For one, I didn’t want to fall prey to a book that everyone claims to get, but doesn’t.
Or has on their shelf with the implicit claim they’ve read it, but haven’t, which, I think is  the more likely candidate.

However, curiosity got the better of me and I finally picked it up.

This is turning into an excellent decision because I keep finding myself wanting to dive into it at every chance. There’s something compelling about the writing and the incoherence of the greater plot, which serves as a reminder there’s still a market for people who want something more than the usual formulas. It’s a breath of fresh air in a world built on endless sequels, remakes and series that just won’t end.

At the time of its release, the world was ready for a book like it. While it might not stand up today, the core of what it stood for is desperately needed again because we need to be challenged out of our familiarity once more.