It’s now been a few days since I finished this book and I believe I’ve finally wrapped my head around it enough to write a short review. In many ways, this book is annoying and infuriating, however, despite this, it is still one of, if not the, best book I have ever read.

To begin, Wallace uses endnotes, some seemingly pointless, to an excess. Couple that with the reality of handling a nearly 1100 page book and any person is rightfully annoyed. As well, Wallace created a puzzle – on my (first and so far only) read-through, there were some sections that simply felt pointless, boring, drawn out and out of place.

What one does not initially realize however, is that Wallace created a masterpiece in the form of the puzzle. Wallace believed in a form of literature that was more than just passive reading, he wanted his readers to have to dive fully into the book in order to get everything out of it, and this is what he accomplished. The book is somewhat fragmented, non-chronological (not to mention the sheer pain of trying to follow the non-standard time) and generally all over the place. It is left up to the reader to connect the dots and fill in the blanks with the hints he gives if they so desire to get the full experience.

I truly believe though that even if one passively reads the book, they will appreciate it as a masterpiece. While one may have some residual frustrations from simply passively engaging in the book, Wallace has several chapters, characters and sections that are among some of the best pieces of writing I have ever read. Wallace has an exceptional talent for beautifully portraying the inner workings of a multitude of characters – many books tell us about characters but we never really feel what it is truly like to be them, Wallace does not simply tell us, he shows us what it is like to be in the character’s shoes.

Aside from the puzzled-nature and beauty of individual parts, the work also deserves praise for its philosophical undertones. Wallace found ways to seamlessly and smoothly introduce complex philosophical topics – pleasures, addiction and excellence are the first to come to mind – and provide contrasting views from his wide variety of characters. It is one thing to make a philosophical novel, but it is another thing to make such a natural philosophical novel – the themes are wound in with Dostoyevsky-esque precision, no small feat.

And so, it seems as though the novel can be considered great not simply in one or even two ways; but rather, it has so many layers of complexity in the writing that there are numerous ways to appreciate this work of art. Even if one does not put the time and care into the novel necessary to get everything out of it, simply appreciating any one of the many great parts will leave one walking away satisfied and recognizing the amazingness that is Infinite Jest. If you have not read this book, I beg of you to sit down and struggle through the 1100 pages because no matter what your level of engagement or appreciation with any individual part is, the masterfulness of the whole is too much to pass up. If you have already read the book, I encourage you to read it again, because no matter how closely you read, each subsequent reading will always reveal more intricate details one missed and cause them to have an even greater appreciation for this classic novel.