

#6237
Mentioned in 11 episodes
The Pale King
Book • 2011
The Pale King is an unfinished novel that was published posthumously in 2011.
It was David Foster Wallace's third novel, which he worked on for over a decade before his death in 2008.
The book is set in the IRS Regional Examination Center in Peoria, Illinois, and delves into themes of boredom, loneliness, and the ennui that underlies human life.
Despite being incomplete, the novel is a compelling and satisfying read, showcasing Wallace's unique blend of comedy and deep sadness.
The narrative is non-linear and challenging, reflecting Wallace's intention to create a 'tornadic' experience for the reader.
Michael Pietsch, Wallace's friend and editor, compiled the manuscript from thousands of pages of notes and drafts to create the published version.
It was David Foster Wallace's third novel, which he worked on for over a decade before his death in 2008.
The book is set in the IRS Regional Examination Center in Peoria, Illinois, and delves into themes of boredom, loneliness, and the ennui that underlies human life.
Despite being incomplete, the novel is a compelling and satisfying read, showcasing Wallace's unique blend of comedy and deep sadness.
The narrative is non-linear and challenging, reflecting Wallace's intention to create a 'tornadic' experience for the reader.
Michael Pietsch, Wallace's friend and editor, compiled the manuscript from thousands of pages of notes and drafts to create the published version.
Mentioned by















Mentioned in 11 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a writer who explored the concept of boredom.


Lex Fridman

427 snips
#166 – Cal Newport: Deep Work, Focus, Productivity, Email, and Social Media
Mentioned by Peter Shamshiri as a comparison for repetitive follow-up books that might be interpreted as deliberately emphasizing their central theme.

305 snips
Surrounded By Idiots
Mentioned by 

and 

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discusses Wallace's work and its exploration of meaninglessness and the search for meaning in a secular age.


Lex Fridman


Sean Kelly


Sean Kelly

190 snips
#227 – Sean Kelly: Existentialism, Nihilism, and the Search for Meaning
Mentioned by 

when discussing existential dread within boredom.


Joshua Fields Milburn

159 snips
510 | Say Less
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as Wallace's (posthumous, incomplete) novel focused on boredom and attention.

Hannah Smart

68 snips
David Foster Wallace & Mark Fisher: Irony, Sincerity, and Late Capitalism
Mentioned by 

as a novel David Foster Wallace was working on when he died.


Deborah Treisman

48 snips
Adam Levin Reads David Foster Wallace
Mentioned by 

as a posthumously published, unfinished work set in the IRS.


Benjamin McEvoy

47 snips
Ep 81 - The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka)
Mentioned by 

in the context of feeling alienated from labor, illustrating the frustration of meaningless busywork.


Cal Newport

28 snips
Never Feel Burnout Again with Cal Newport (#61)
Mentioned by 

, quoting a line from it about the importance of attention in life.


Sam Leith

28 snips
How big tech companies steal your attention
Mentioned in connection to IRS tax office, used to explore what happens to a human soul in the face of extreme monotony.

23 snips
Ep. 254: How to Be Bored - An Ancient Guide to Being Where You Are | Perennial Wisdom




