Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, May 4, 2000
Story collection stuns readers with Brief sections, humor
By Clay McCuistion
writer @kansan.com
Kansan wire editor
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men is a gloriously uneven book. Some sections of David Foster Wallace's short story collection feel meticulously worked over, others mere exercises in wordplay. Every now and then, the polish and originality combine in the same section to create a stunning effect.
Wallace, the author of 1996's 1,000-plus page opus Infinite Jest, is relatively restrained in the 23 brief sections that compose his fifth book. He doesn't go on at length. He doesn't pursue the deliberate obscurity many modern literary authors cherish.
Instead, Wallace has fun with words. He doesn't treat the English language as a fragile or delicate flower. He roughs up his sentences, sends them flying, putting together his stories in ways that are unusual and exciting. Wallace is not afraid to fail, and on the-edge performances invigorate both his work and its reader.
"Octet" falls on the carefully crafted side. Unfortunately, this series of pop quizzes arranged to tell little stories degenerates into lengthy existential footnotes and explanations from the author about how he messed up writing the story. These authorial comments are part of the story.
He doesn't treat the English language as a fragile or delicate flower. He roughs up his sentences, sends them flying, putting together his stories in ways that are unusual and exciting.
Wallace has courage. But in this case, the piece dies an agonizing death because of his excessive amendment.
The several short sections spread throughout the work, and titled "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men," are less self-conscious and read as though Wallace dashed them off quickly to give the book some continuity.
The sections tend to be quite funny, but all have the same basic message—the male gender is lying, deceitful and only concerned with sex. Wallace's point is well-taken, but it didn't have to be stated quite so often.
When the polished style and exuberant inspiration come together, however, the volume shines. "Tri-Stan: I Sold Sissee Nar to Ecko" is a hilarious crossbreed of the television industry and Greek myth, complete with gods
Stasis and his wife Codependae. Dave Barry could perhaps match the humor but has nowhere near Wallace's style and lavish imagination.
"Adult World" (the story of a woman's relationship with her oft-absent husband) and "The Depressed Person" are much more serious efforts. Both are extended character studies of troubled women and both are totally compelling.
Wallace is not a subtle writer, and those readers who want to figure out things for themselves would be well-advised to stay away from this book. Everything is explained, often from multiple perspectives and in varying voices (with the occasional hefty dose of medical terminology).
Where the volume shines is in sheer outrageousness and fun. Yes, it's challenging. Yes, it's sophisticated.
But most of all, it's a delight to read.
David Foster Wallace, author of Infinite Jest, offers readers a range of stories with humor and clever wordplay in his latest work, a collection of short stories titled Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. Contributed art
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