INKWAVES – Paolo Giordano on Infinite Jest by David Foster

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2026, 6:00 PM

Paolo Giordano

on Infinite Jest by David Foster

in conversazion with Claudio Pagliara

We are delighted to welcome Paolo Giordano, an acclaimed voice in contemporary literature,  celebrated for his thoughtful exploration of human relationships, science, and the quiet complexities that shape our lives. His work invites readers to reflect deeply on solitude, connection, and the invisible forces that influence our choices. 

Giordano is the second author featured in Inkwaves, the literary series conceived by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York in collaboration with the Alferj literary agency. True to the spirit of Inkwaves—where writing moves across languages, traditions, and inner worlds—the series creates a dialogue between Italian and American writers, each invited to reflect on a book from the other county that has profoundly shaped both their work and their lives.

Paolo Giordano  has chosen Infinite Jest by David Foster:

Reason for choosing Infinite Jest by David Foster

Paolo Giordano: “I remember everything of the time when I first read Infinite Jest. Where I bought the book, the summer I was bringing it with me everywhere I’d go, the sensory overload. I was nineteen and I’d never had such an all-encompassing reading experience before. Plus, I’d never thought that literature could be utterly fun. Which led me, a while after, to my first writing attempts. Yes, I owe a lot to David Foster Wallace and Infinite Jest, more than I can possibly express.

Bio

(Photo by Pierluca Esposito)

Paolo Giordano is an Italian writer. With his debut novel, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, he was the youngest ever winner of Premio Strega. His latest novel, Tasmania, was awarded as Best Book of 2022 by il Corriere della Sera.
Giordano’s activity includes non-fiction, like How Contagion Works, journalism and reportage. He also works as a screenwriter (the HBO series We Are Who We Are and the movie Drought). Giordano has a PhD in theoretical particle physics and lives in Rome. His books have been translated in over 40 countries.