Right now Quote by David Foster Wallace
““What’s precious about somebody like Bill Vollmann is that, even though there’s a great deal of formal innovation in his fictions, it rarely seems to exist for just its own sake. It’s almost always deployed to make some point (Vollmann’s the most editorial young novelist going right now, and he’s great at using formal ingenuity to make the editorializing a component of his narrative instead of an interruption) or to create an effect that’s internal to the text. His narrator’s always weirdly effaced, the writing unself-conscious, despite all the "By-the-way-Dear-reader" intrusions. In a way it’s sad that Vollmann’s integrity is so remarkable. Its remarkability means it’s rare””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Consider the Lobster, 2004
Vollmann uses experimental techniques purposefully to enhance narrative, not for novelty alone.
In simple terms: He uses form to serve story and ideas.
Key Takeaway
Notice how style can deepen meaning.
Themes
literature
innovation
editorial
integrity
narrative
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
- teaching narrative techniques
Key Concepts
postmodernism
authorial voice
self-reflexivity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does formal innovation affect your engagement with a text?
- When does style become distraction?
A Different Perspective
Experimental style may alienate readers seeking straightforward prose.
