Book Review ~ String Theory by
David Foster Wallace
String Theory offers a unique collection of five essays and articles on tennis that David Foster Wallace wrote throughout his life.
Although David never reached the highest levels of the sport, he played competitively as a junior. During that time, he developed a keen awareness of its intricacies and subtle nuances, which, along with his writing prowess, he masterfully calls upon to produce some of the most compelling and insightful pieces I’ve read on tennis.
In this review, I’ll share my take on String Theory, including its strengths, weaknesses, writing style, and a summary of what to expect from its contents to help you decide if it’s worth reading.
| Book Details | Note |
| Book Title | String Theory |
| Author | David Foster Wallace |
| Length | 158 pages |
| Published | May 2016 |
| My Rating | 8 out of 10 |
| Popular Retailers | Price |
| Amazon | » Check Price |
Review: 8/10
Many of us are passionate about tennis, but few are gifted enough to provide compelling commentary that does the sport justice, which is why String Theory by David Foster Wallace is so captivating.
The book, featuring five pieces written over roughly fifteen years, highlights David’s passion for the game while articulating what it’s like to be an enthusiastic fan and capturing the essence of the sport’s beauty with highly descriptive and unfiltered storytelling.
For me, part of what makes String Theory such a noteworthy read is that it’s both accessible and highly relatable. Whether you’re just getting into tennis or are a seasoned vet, David provides a window into the sport that fuels excitement while making you proud to be part of the club.
I also appreciate the book’s variety. As a compilation of David’s work, there’s little time to tire of any given topic. Each chapter is distinct, standing on its own two feet yet linked together with a consistent theme. As a whole, it expands a player’s knowledge of the sport and helps fans build a deeper appreciation for its nuances and complexities.
Despite its age, String Theory remains a timeless collection. It’s entertaining, insightful, and easy to read, making it an excellent read for anyone who loves the sport and one I highly recommend. As a bonus, you can enjoy it from start to finish or piece by piece as your schedule allows.
Strengths
One of my favorite aspects of String Theory is David Foster Wallace’s descriptive writing style. Whether describing a memory from childhood or a player like Roger Federer performing on the court, he does an excellent job bringing you into the moment with illustrative storytelling and crystal-clear imagery that deepens your appreciation for the sport.
David also does an excellent job of providing context. He extensively uses footnotes as he does with his other works, such as Infinite Jest, a trademark of his writing style that allows him to explore thoughts more deeply while expanding a reader’s knowledge or understanding of a topic.
Beyond that, I also love how the book ranges in theme, including a childhood memoir, a scathing book review with a thought-provoking conclusion, an article discussing the professional artistry of a largely unknown world-class tennis player, an unexpected analysis of one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, and a classic portrayal of arguably the most loved and talented athlete to grace a tennis court, Federer.
Weaknesses
As much as I enjoyed String Theory, it has shortcomings, arguably the most significant being a few outdated, offensive, and unsavory references that would undoubtedly turn off some readers.
For example, early on in the book, David makes a sexist remark:
“My hand-eye was OK, but I was neither large nor quick, had a near-concave chest and wrists so thin I could bracelet them with a thumb and pinkie, and could hit a tennis ball no harder or truer than most girls in my age bracket.”
There are also instances where he provides descriptive yet harsh characterizations of players; here’s one example:
“He’s playing an Austrian named Julian Knowle, a tall and cadaverous guy with pointy Kafkan ears.”
Two other noteworthy instances include his descriptions of Jacob Hlasek (page 53) and Andre Agassi (page 81), which I’m confident he could have reworded to create a similar impact without being offensive.
Although rare, there are also a few times when he makes a suggestive reference or remark that, while descriptive, is unnecessary.
“Starting on Monday, there are a lot of Canadian girls in really short tight shorts and a lot of muscle-shirted Canadian boyfriends who scowl at you if you react to the girlfriends in the way the girlfriend’s tight shorts seemed designed to make anyone with a healthy endocrine system react.”
Finally, David does use profanity on a handful of occasions, so if that’s a concern, I’d rather you know upfront before reading or gifting the book.
I mention all of these to avoid readers being surprised. However, these references are truly few and far between, and I suspect most readers will be able to look past them to enjoy David’s excellent writing.
Writing Quality
In many ways, String Theory feels like a journal for David Foster Wallace on tennis. His tone is casual, he’s periodically self-deprecating, and it often feels like we’re along for the ride as he works through his thoughts.
His highly descriptive style of writing is punctuated by frequent footnotes that sometimes take up nearly an entire page. This characteristic lends to clear prose that effectively communicates his line of thinking.
Overall, David is an exceptional writer, and String Theory is an approachable and engaging read for a wide range of tennis enthusiasts.
Summary
Published in 2016, String Theory combines pieces written by David Foster Wallace from 1991 to 2006; here’s an outline:
Derivative Sport In Tornado Alley
- Original title: Tennis, Trigonometry, Tornadoes
- Originally Published: 1991
- Publication: Harper Magazine
Derivative Sport In Tornado Alley is a short memoir recounting David Foster Wallace’s experiences growing up and, as he put it, “flirting with excellence” as he learned to play tennis.
It’s a fun piece that will give any player or fan a deeper appreciation for the weather’s influence on the sport and the angles involved in playing. David also recounts his realization that his quirky talent as a junior tennis player only takes him so far and a wild encounter with a tornado while practicing on the courts with his close friend, Antitoi.
How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart
- Original Title: How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart
- Published: 1992
- Publication: The Philadelphia Inquirer
David was roughly the same age as Tracy when they grew up, and they both played competitively, so he was captivated when her career took off into the stratosphere. As he puts it, “I can remember meditating, with all the intensity a fifteen-year-old can summon, on the differences that kept this girl and me on our respective sides of the TV screen.”
Like I’m sure many athletes, I can relate to this sentiment. When these larger-than-life figures release a book, many hope to glean some of the magic that makes them special. Unfortunately, as David points out, many of these books are fluff and fail to deliver on their promise. Despite his pessimism about the genre, he still bought and read Tracy Austin’s memoir, Beyond Center Court: My Story, when it was released. Unsurprisingly, he was disappointed, as he shared in How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart.
On the surface, David’s piece is a scathing, no-holds-barred review of Tracy’s book. However, through his brutally honest analysis, he comes to a surprising conclusion that might be the best possible explanation for why these types of books fall so flat and the essence of what makes some of the world’s best athletes so special.
Tennis Player Michael Joyce’s Professional Artistry as a Paradigm of Certain Stuff about Choice, Freedom, Limitation, Joy, Grotesquerie, and Human Completeness
- Original Title: The String Theory
- Published: 1996
- Publication: Esquire
The title of this piece, Tennis Player Michael Joyce’s Professional Artistry as a Paradigm of Certain Stuff about Choice, Freedom, Limitation, Joy, Grotesquerie, and Human Completeness, is a mouthful.
However, it perfectly frames the premise of David’s reflection on Michael Joyce, whom he covered at the 1995 Canadian Open. Joyce was a largely unknown player who was ranked No. 93 in the world at the time. Like many top athletes, he dedicated himself to pursuing greatness.
Through his essay, David does an excellent job of highlighting Michael’s incredible talent while carefully articulating the nuances that separate players like him from the world’s best at the time, like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. And, despite this separation, how unwaveringly committed Michael was to his craft and the consequences that players like him must endure to reach a level of professional artistry.
Moreover, David highlights how brutally challenging tennis is while giving fans a crash course in what it takes to break through. He summarizes his observations perfectly: “I submit that tennis is the most beautiful sport and also the most demanding.”
Democracy and Commerce at The U.S. Open
- Original Title: Democracy and Commerce at The U.S. Open
- Published: 1997
- Publication: Tennis Magazine
The U.S. Open is among the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, featuring the world’s best players battling for glory. However, as David highlights in his article, Democracy and Commerce at The U.S. Open, the last Grand Slam event of the year is equally a business operation shrouded in sponsorship and commerce.
In the article, David gives fans a fly-on-the-wall perspective of what it’s like to visit, complete with people-watching anecdotes like this one: “Two older guys in the row right behind me are exhorting Sampras in low tones, addressing him as “Petey,” and I can’t help thinking they’re friends of the family or something.” However, the emphasis unabashedly spotlights the U.S. Open’s commercialism and the exorbitant costs fans incur for the privilege of attending, noting its magic despite the high costs.
A few decades later, the tournament and its grounds have undergone significant changes. Still, it remains a surprisingly accurate depiction of the tournament, which is equally fun to read whether you’ve never attended or have been a regular ticket holder for years.
Federer Both Flesh and Not
- Original Title: Roger Federer as Religious Experience
- Published: 2006
- Publication: The New York Times
The closing piece, Federer Both Flesh and Not, is arguably his best. David wrote it roughly at the midpoint of Roger’s most dominant stretch, during which he held the no. 1 ranking for an astonishing 237 consecutive months and was virtually untouchable. As he puts it, “This present article is more about a spectator’s experience of Federer, and its context.”
The article provides fans with perhaps the best-written account of what it’s like to watch Federer play up close in person. It paints a detailed picture of the beauty of Federer’s playing style, highlights how he defied the modern power baseline game, and offers numerous anecdotes that celebrate his genius. If you only have time for one of David’s pieces, it would be my first recommendation. However, I think it’s appropriately organized in the book, saving the best for last.
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