I've never read any David Foster Wallace, so I can't say whether I think the comparison is apt. But I used several writing samples, and they all returned the same answer.
I submitted three chunks from the same blog post and got James Joyce, Leo Tolstoy, and Robert Louis Stevenson. And I was hoping for David Foster Wallace!
The primary characteristic I associate with DFW when it comes to computerized analysis of random text is that he often puts extended parentheticals in footnotes. Usually to hilarious effect.
I haven't read much David Foster Wallace but I really like him. He's got a short story called "The Depressed Person" which is both hilarious and terribly sad.
A book group was started at work and the first book selected was Infinite Jest by DFW. Looking for camaraderie and being a reader I joined the group. Infinite Jest is almost 1000 pages. At the first meeting the convener encouraged us by saying that if we could just hang in there for the first 350 pages it got good. I read a couple of chapters and bailed.
I got David Foster Wallace when I wrote about diet, Lewis Carroll when I wrote about homeschooling, and Daniel Defoe when I wrote about faith.
ReplyDeleteI submitted three chunks from the same blog post and got James Joyce, Leo Tolstoy, and Robert Louis Stevenson. And I was hoping for David Foster Wallace!
ReplyDeleteThe primary characteristic I associate with DFW when it comes to computerized analysis of random text is that he often puts extended parentheticals in footnotes. Usually to hilarious effect.
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI got James Joyce for writing about a book, David Foster Wallace for writing about a movie, and Stephen King for writing about writing. (LOL!!!)
But I guess Wallace wins because I got him again after I submitted a chunk of poetry.
Who is he, anyway?
I haven't read much David Foster Wallace but I really like him. He's got a short story called "The Depressed Person" which is both hilarious and terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteHere's a commencement speech he gave in 2005. He committed suicide in 2008.
A book group was started at work and the first book selected was Infinite Jest by DFW. Looking for camaraderie and being a reader I joined the group. Infinite Jest is almost 1000 pages. At the first meeting the convener encouraged us by saying that if we could just hang in there for the first 350 pages it got good. I read a couple of chapters and bailed.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences on writing like DFW.
I got DFW, Kurt Vonnegut, and JK Rowling. At least you're consistent!
ReplyDelete