Books

First edition, first printing, scarce hardback issue of the author's first novel, signed by him on the title page with his printed name struck-through. Wallace submitted the work as an undergraduate thesis. It was published when he was just 24 years old and won the young author the Whiting Award. "This is Wallace in the nascent stage of his literary powers, attempting to reconcile his interest in Wittgenstein and language with his desire to speak of something urgent and true about us and our beautiful messes" (Schacht). Octavo. Original black cloth-backed blue boards, spine lettered in black on metallic blue ground, green endpapers. With dust jacket. Text block toned; spine panel sunned, nick at foot of rear panel, unclipped: near-fine in like jacket. Tori Schacht, "The Last Book I Loved: The Broom of the System", The Rumpus, 8 March 2011.

'The Broom of the System' is a novel by David Foster Wallace which showcases his wit and philosophical musings through the story of Lenore Beadsman and a bizarre conspiracy.