Admire Quote by Elissa Schappell
“While Max appears to greatly admire Wallace as a writer and feel compassion for him as a man, he is never starry-eyed, or pulls his punches. Every Love Story is a Ghost Story is as illuminating, multifaceted, and serious an estimation of David Foster Wallace's life and work as we can hope to find.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Every Love Story is a Ghost Story by Elissa Schappell, 2021
The essay offers a balanced, nuanced portrait of David Foster Wallace, appreciating his talent without romanticizing his struggles.
In simple terms: A fair, detailed view of Wallace’s life and work.
Key Takeaway
Recognize talent while staying realistic.
Themes
literature
biography
critical analysis
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
expository
When to use this quote
- reading literary criticism
- writing workshops
- academic courses
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
authorial influence
human complexity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a balanced view affect your appreciation of an author?
- What risks arise from avoiding idealization?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the emotional depth of Wallace’s personal challenges.
![“Books are a social substitute; you read people who, at one level, you'd like to hang out with. [David Foster Wallace]'s writing self--it's most pronounced in his essays--was the best friend you'd ever have, spotting everything, whispering jokes, sweeping you past what was irritating or boring or…” quote by David Lipsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f4/david-lipsky-30389_best-friend_books-are-a-social-substitute-you-read-p_2172757.jpg)
![“I am in that everything [ David Foster Wallace] writes is pretty much the best stuff I've read, so that makes me a fan I guess.” quote by John Krasinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73f/john-krasinski-4756_fans_i-am-in-that-everything-david-foster-wal_1900900.jpg)
![“He [David Foster Wallace] compares raising children to raising books, you should take pride in the work you do inside a family and not from how they make out in the world. “It’s good to want a child to do well, but it’s bad to want that glory to reflect back on you,” is what he says.” quote by David Lipsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a4b/david-lipsky-30389_books_he-david-foster-wallace-compares-raising_1575049.jpg)
