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The Broom of the System

The Broom of the System book cover
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Fiction Fiction Philosophy

by David Foster Wallace

starstarstarstar_halfstar
3.84 (13K ratings)
calendar_today 1987
description 467 pages

The Broom of the System by David Foster Wallace holds a well received rating of 3.84 out of 5, based on 13K reader ratings. First published in 1987. The book spans 467 pages.

About The Broom of the System

Published when Wallace was just twenty-four years old, The Broom of the System stunned critics and marked the emergence of an extraordinary new talent. At the center of this outlandishly funny, fiercely intelligent novel is the bewitching heroine, Lenore Stonecipher Beadsman. The year is 1990 and the place is a slightly altered Cleveland, Ohio. Lenore’s great-grandmother has disappeared with twenty-five other inmates of the Shaker Heights Nursing Home. Her beau, and boss, Rick Vigorous, is insanely jealous, and her cockatiel, Vlad the Impaler, has suddenly started spouting a mixture of psycho-babble, Auden, and the King James Bible. Ingenious and entertaining, this debut from one of the most innovative writers of his generation brilliantly explores the paradoxes of language, storytelling, and reality.

Detail Value
Author David Foster Wallace
Published 1987
Pages 467
Genres Fiction, Fiction, Philosophy
Average Rating 3.84 / 5.00
Total Ratings 13,011

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

3.8
starstarstarstar_halfstar
13K ratings
With a rating of 3.84, The Broom of the System is rated below the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 3.99, it performs below the genre benchmark.

How It Compares

3.84
This Book
3.99
Philosophy Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is The Broom of the System?

The Broom of the System is categorized as Fiction, Fiction, Philosophy. Its primary genre classification is Philosophy.

Is The Broom of the System worth reading?

Based on 13K reader ratings, The Broom of the System has an average score of 3.84 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."

How many pages is The Broom of the System?

The Broom of the System has 467 pages.

Who wrote The Broom of the System?

The Broom of the System was written by David Foster Wallace. It was first published in 1987.

What is the ISBN for The Broom of the System?

The ISBN-13 for The Broom of the System is 9780142002420.0.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026