David Foster Wallace: In His Own Words

By: David Foster Wallace

Narrated by: David Foster Wallace

"[DFW's] delivery is dead-on and fresh, the words often springing from his mouth as if conceived on the spot . . . . an audible confirmation that modern American writing continues to gain strength." -- Publishers Weekly on Consider the Lobster

Collected here for the first time are the stories and speeches of David Foster Wallace as read by the author himself. Over the course of his career, David Foster Wallace recorded a variety of his work in diverse circumstances -- from studio recordings to live performances -- that are finally compiled in this unique collection. Some of the pieces collected here are: "Another Pioneer," recorded at The University of Arizona Poetry Center; stories from Breif Interviews with Hiddeous Men and Consider the Lobster recorded in the studio; and the unforgettable "This Is Water," his 2005 commencement address given at Kenyon College. Also included are two interviews and a 2005 conversation with Rick Moody at Herbst Theater in San Francisco.

This collection has a special introduction written and read by acclaimed writer and editor John Jeremiah Sullivan. For fans of David Foster Wallace who have read everything he ever wrote as well as those looking to familiarize themselves with his work, David Foster Wallace: In His Own Words is a special, unique collection unavailable anywhere else.

Why isn’t there a track list?

I have looked everywhere online for a list of the pieces that are included in this audiobook. But none seems to exist.

So healing to hear his voice again

To have these selections all in one place—essays, fiction, interviews, the Kenyon speech—is so wonderful. It’s heartbreaking and fantastic all at once to hear him reading these things and sharing his views. Can’t recommend this enough, whether you’re new or a long-time fan.

DFW...

Nothing new can be said about DFW. If you are obsessed with his genius, a casual fan of his, or just curious about his work this collection of audio really resonates. I never met the man, but I miss him every time I read (or hear) his works.

Astounding

There is a path, a path we may hope to follow where with each step we leave more of ourself behind and where, with no notice, no signage, we discover we are no longer on the path we were so sure would take us where we wanted to go. And so with no destination known and no destination home we shed our sureness and look up in wonder.

Like Being with DFW Himself!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are a DFW fan, then, yes, absolutely. It is SUCH a pleasure to hear his work in his own voice. A real treat. Gives him a living presence with you despite his untimely departure.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. In my opinion, the stories are too numerous and varied to want to listen to in one sitting. I especially enjoyed listening to this in my car in bits and pieces.

Any additional comments?

There are two downsides I can see from this audio book. First, there were so many times that I wanted to have a table of contents to refer to. There are so many stories here along with longer essays and some interviews that you can get a little lost trying to know what you're listening to and where you are in the book. But there is no easy way to find this online and it got a bit frustrating at times because the book is a collection of various pieces of his writing (a whole lot from Brief Interviews with Hideous Men). Second, the interviews were much harder to hear, the microphones were lousy and distant unlike the majority of the book which sounds like he read it in a studio, loud and crisp. Nevertheless, I loved loved loved hearing his own voice.