“No wonder we cannot appreciate the really central Kafka joke: that the horrific struggle to establish a human self results in a self whose humanity is inseparable from the horrific struggle. That our endless and impossible journey toward home is in fact our home.”

American novelist and essayist of the late 20th century, best known for his experimental fiction and incisive cultural criticism. His work explores the complexities of modern life, addiction, and human connection, blending intellectual depth with accessible storytelling. Wallace’s essays, like those in *Consider the Lobster*, dissect contemporary issues with wit and moral urgency.