Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 6:00 PM
Paolo Giordano
on Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
with Christian Lorentzen
in conversation with Claudio Pagliara
Paolo Giordano, one of the most acclaimed voices in contemporary Italian literature, is celebrated for his thoughtful exploration of human relationships, solitude, and the invisible forces that shape our choices. His work invites readers to reflect deeply on connection, fragility, and the complexities of modern life.
This event is part of InkWaves, the literary series conceived by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York to foster a dialogue between Italian and American writers, books, and ideas. Through conversations on literature, language, traditions, and inner worlds, the series creates a vibrant exchange between different cultural perspectives and literary sensibilities.
For this special evening, Paolo Giordano will reflect on David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest, in a conversation with Claudio Pagliara, with the participation of Christian Lorentzen, one of today’s sharpest and most influential literary critics.
Why did Paolo Giordano choose Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace?
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.
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