Infinite Jest

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace is a complex and sprawling novel that explores a dystopian future where entertainment has reached extreme levels of addiction and obsession. Set in a near-future North America that is comprised of Mexico, the US and Canada, the story revolves around the Enfield Tennis Academy and a halfway house located in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, and divided by a hillside. A mysterious film titled Infinite Jest is rumored to be so entertaining that it drives viewers insane. The narrative weaves together various storylines, delving into themes of addiction, depression, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a fragmented and chaotic world. Wallace's intricate prose, extensive footnotes, and dark humor challenge readers while offering a profound exploration of contemporary society's struggles and desires. Infinite Jest was considered by Time Magazine as one of the TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.

The first edition of Infinite Jest was published by Little, Brown in 1996. The original price was $29.95 and it was 1079 pages long. The blue paper boards were stamped in silver on the spine, and the original dust jacket had eight reviews with William Vollmann's name misspelled as Vollman rather than Vollmann. First Edition is stated on the copyright page along with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. Signed copies of Infinite Jest's first edition can be sold for up to several thousand USD.