Schrecklich amüsant – aber in Zukunft ohne mich

Corona also brought the booming cruise ship industry to a temporary standstill. However, the company is now once again wooing unsettled customers: "Keep to yourself: all-round carefree - on board and ashore."

For some, this sounds more like a threat. A seven-day luxury cruise in the Caribbean, for example - for David Foster Wallace, there can be no shorter definition of hell. Commissioned by Harper's Magazine, the famous US author boarded the Zenith in the mid-nineties and set sail from Key West. A self-awareness trip of a special kind. And a terrific travelogue that has been on the bestseller lists for years: terribly amusing - but without me in the future.

Wallace puts himself in the expert hands of the ship's crew, whose slogan "Your Pleasure is our Business" sometimes takes on a threatening undertone. He fights against the fear of being disposed of by an incredibly efficient vacuum toilet. He takes part in the competition for the most beautiful male legs. He watches 500 American top performers doing the duck dance. And he hears grown-ups at the information counter asking whether you will get wet while snorkeling, whether the crew is also sleeping on board or what time the midnight buffet opens.

For a week, Wallace takes part in everything that life on board has in store for vacationers in need of relaxation. Surrounded by jubilation, hustle and bustle and merriment, he himself becomes increasingly quiet and begins to isolate himself in his cabin. This journey across the sea also turns into a touching journey to himself. But you have to face up to things and, above all, to what is the best time of the year for other people.

David Foster Wallace's comical and sensitive observations about life on board a floating wedding cake, strange travel companions, unforgettable shore leave, the terror of having to have fun and his own doubts and fears were described by the FAZ as a

"masterpiece of literary reportage" and Harald Schmidt simply "a magnificent book". Now as a great acting solo. Cast off - or does someone still want to stay at home?