This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life

Don't Bother

DFW is one of my favorite writers, but this book is really a waste of money. The layout is one sentence per page so they can justify putting a speech into book form in order to capitalize just a little bit more on his death. Unfortunately this plan worked on me, so please don't let it work on you. Seriously, don't waste your money on this "book." They may as well have just dressed this up as some inspirational page-a-day book that you can open up every morning and take one quote from. Then we could've spent a day living our lives by "Or so I wish to suggest to you on this dry and lovely morning." The only difference is you can't hide how ridiculous, unnecessary, and financially motivated a DFW daily book of inspirational quotes is. With this book, they're able to dress up their motivations with a minimalist book cover.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

I wish I had been in the audience but kinda glad I wasn't-would like to hear from anyone who was @ Kenyon 2005 Commencement

I found this essay so resonating that I sent the online article to practically everyone I knew. To those middle aged denizens who remember their life when if felt real, to those youth who live in the now and vow never to change, this book will speak to them. In addition to graduation cash I plan to give this to young people I know who graduate from high school or college. I am so pleased that DFW's words were given the honor of being bound in a book; they are too weighty just to remain electronic or on fading newsprint. When after a harrowing day or a soul-sucking encounter I read this and it helps me to find my center, again. Yeah you can find this elsewhere and I am not big on paying for what is out there for free, but this, in a book, gives heft, gives importance and so David Foster Wallace is and also his words.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Do Not Purchase This File

I just purchased this ebook, and the file had 16 pages of fragmented text!!! Now, I have to try to get a refund.

Poignant and Concise

I am a deep thinker but I have ADD when it comes to reading. This book was originally supposed to be a gift for a friend who had just graduated from college but I had to sneak a peak. Once I opened it up I couldn't stop reading. That rarely happens to me.

Very moving.
Very honest.
Very good.

This is A Commencement Speech

Oh to have been a graduate of Kenyon College when David Foster Wallace gave this speech! I wish mine had been as compelling. If ever I were to give a commencement address I hope it would be as hip, intelligent, funny and thoughtful as this. Well worth reading and giving as a gift to college graduates.

DFW

a really nice, little book. a lesson about life from a great writer.

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