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A moralist of hope

David Foster Wallace (1962-2008) gave clarity to modern life's tumult

Author David Foster Wallace, whose best-known novel was ''Infinite Jest,'' with friend. Author David Foster Wallace, whose best-known novel was ''Infinite Jest,'' with friend. (MARION ETTINGER)
By Steve Almond
September 21, 2008

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I never met David Foster Wallace. Nor was I part of his cult, those who had read every word of his sprawling, 1,088-page novel "Infinite Jest," including the footnotes. I was more like a spotty but ardent admirer, who looked to his short stories and especially his essays for inspiration. (Full article: 909 words)

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