Frederica Reintroduces Sofie Østerby’s Hydro Vase

In a tribute to the late David Foster Wallace, Harper's Magazine, where Wallace served as a contributing editor, has made several of his works accessible online to non-subscribers. This initiative allows a broader audience to engage with his distinctive literary voice. Among the featured pieces is 'Shipping Out,' which later formed the foundation for his acclaimed collection, 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again.' Originally published in January 1996, 'Shipping Out' chronicles Wallace's experiences on a Caribbean luxury cruise, which he describes as an 'exceedingly miserable' journey. The article highlights a particularly vivid excerpt from 'Shipping Out,' where Wallace meticulously details the bathroom in his cabin, specifically cabin 1009, a mid-priced single occupancy room. His description is a testament to his keen observational skills and ability to imbue mundane objects with profound or humorous significance. He begins by noting the impressive size and design of the sink, featuring a deep bowl that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The entire wall above the sink is covered by a large plate mirror, enhancing the sense of space and luxury. A small, yet significant detail that captures his attention is the steel soap dish, ingeniously designed with striations to allow water to drain, thereby preventing the common issue of soap-bar slime. This small design feature is presented as an example of thoughtful engineering, suggesting a high level of attention to detail in the ship's accommodations. Wallace further describes the automatic exhaust fan that activates immediately upon entering the bathroom and turning on the overhead light. The fan's power is such that it efficiently removes steam and odors, creating a consistently fresh environment. He humorously exaggerates its force, claiming it can make one's hair stand on end if standing directly beneath it, a sensation amplified by the strong airflow from the Scirocco hair dryer. This combination provides what he playfully calls "hours of fun" in the brightly lit mirror, underscoring the almost theatrical quality of the bathroom's amenities. The shower is given an equally elaborate description, presented as an 'overachieving' fixture. Wallace notes the extremely hot water available on the 'HOT' setting, which he describes as 'exfoliatingly hot,' and the ease with which one can adjust it to a perfect 98.6-degree temperature with a single manipulation of the knob. He expresses a desire for such water pressure in his own home shower, illustrating its exceptional force by stating it can 'pin you helplessly to the stall’s opposite wall.' The showerhead's 'MASSAGE' setting is depicted with characteristic Wallacean hyperbole, leading to an almost ecstatic physical reaction. Additionally, the showerhead and its flexible steel line are detachable, offering the user precise control to direct the 'punishing stream' to specific areas, such as a 'particularly dirty right knee.' The piece concludes by inviting readers to explore the full text of 'Shipping Out' for Wallace’s description of cabin 1009’s toilet, promising further insights into his unique narrative style. Other works by David Foster Wallace are also available on The New Yorker and The Atlantic’s websites, encouraging readers to delve deeper into his extensive bibliography. #DavidFosterWallace #HarpersMagazine #ShippingOut #LuxuryCruise #LiteraryAnalysis #BathroomDesign #CabinAmenities #DescriptiveWriting #LiteraryTribute