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Infinite Jest

Infinite Jest is a 1996 novel by American writer David Foster Wallace.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Infinite Jest is a 1996 novel by American writer David Foster Wallace. It is a large, nonlinear postmodern work set in a near-future North America and centers on addiction, entertainment, and tennis. The novel is widely discussed for its scale, footnotes, and influence on late-20th-century American literature.

Publication and form

Infinite Jest is a 1996 novel by David Foster Wallace. It is known for its length, digressive style, and nonlinear structure, with many endnotes or footnotes contributing to its unconventional form.

Plot and setting

The novel is set mainly in a near-future version of North America, especially around Boston, with important scenes at the Enfield Tennis Academy and the Ennet House recovery facility. The broader political backdrop includes O.N.A.N., a fictional superstate comprising parts of the former United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Themes

The work explores addiction in several forms, including drug dependence, entertainment addiction, and compulsive ambition. It also examines isolation, recovery, consumer culture, and the desire for meaning.

Reception and influence

Infinite Jest has become one of the most discussed works of late-20th-century American fiction. Its ambition, difficulty, and influence have made it a frequent subject of literary criticism and public discussion.

Key facts

  • Published in 1996.
  • A postmodern, encyclopedic, and highly nonlinear novel.
  • Set in a near-future North America with the fictional O.N.A.N. superstate.
  • Major narrative strands involve the Enfield Tennis Academy and Ennet House.
  • Notable for its length and extensive use of endnotes/footnotes.
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Canadian context

The novel’s fictional O.N.A.N. includes parts of Canada, and Canadian territory and identity are part of its political backdrop.[2][4][12]

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Infinite Jest?
It was written by David Foster Wallace.
When was Infinite Jest published?
It was published in 1996.
What genre is Infinite Jest?
It is generally classified as a postmodern novel.
What is Infinite Jest about?
It follows multiple characters in a near-future North America and focuses on addiction, entertainment, tennis, and recovery.
Where is Infinite Jest set?
It is set mainly around Boston in a fictional near-future North America, including the Enfield Tennis Academy and Ennet House.
Why is Infinite Jest famous?
It is famous for its length, nonlinear structure, extensive endnotes, and influence as a major postmodern novel.

References

  1. Blinkist — https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/infinite-jest-en
    Supports: Publication year, themes, and general description of the novel
  2. GradeSaver — https://www.gradesaver.com/infinite-jest/study-guide/summary
    Supports: Near-future setting and O.N.A.N. backdrop
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest
    Supports: Postmodern encyclopedic novel, length, and endnotes
  4. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-infinite-jest-by-david-foster
    Supports: 1996 publication, length, themes, and narrative focus
  5. American Writers Museum — https://americanwritersmuseum.org/the-marathon-of-infinite-jest/
    Supports: Boston setting, drug addiction, tennis, and Canadian elements
  6. The New Yorker — https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/02/02/infinite-jest-david-foster-wallace-anniversary-book-review
    Supports: Enfield Tennis Academy, Ennet House, and cultural significance