The Pale King by David Foster Wallace. Kind of a weird one because it’s technically incomplete, assembled by his longtime editor and his wife from materials going back to the 90s. I think it could’ve been his best work, even though I’ve always held that his nonfiction is superior.
Entirely fair! I think the posthumous assembly of the novel — leaving most storylines necessarily incomplete — made it more of a rough draft than anything. I’m just glad it got published, since I love any literature about bureaucracy. My favorite part of IJ is the footnotes/endnotes, if that says anything.
Same. I made it about halfway through at the furthest. It kinda shows that it was an undergrad thesis project, and I think his own assessment that it seemed to be written by “a very smart fourteen-year-old” speaks to the roughness. I get it though — he’s chasing the sparks that we find developed later on. It’s funny how close this was written to Girl with Curious Hair, which is so much better.
The Pale King by David Foster Wallace. Kind of a weird one because it’s technically incomplete, assembled by his longtime editor and his wife from materials going back to the 90s. I think it could’ve been his best work, even though I’ve always held that his nonfiction is superior.
As someone who loves Infinite Jest and enjoyed Brief Interviews, The Pale King didn’t do it for me.
Entirely fair! I think the posthumous assembly of the novel — leaving most storylines necessarily incomplete — made it more of a rough draft than anything. I’m just glad it got published, since I love any literature about bureaucracy. My favorite part of IJ is the footnotes/endnotes, if that says anything.
Really enjoyed Pale King. IJ is my favourite book ever, and I also love his non fiction.
What did you think of The Broom of the System? I’ve started it twice and given up both times. I just cannot get into it at all.
Same. I made it about halfway through at the furthest. It kinda shows that it was an undergrad thesis project, and I think his own assessment that it seemed to be written by “a very smart fourteen-year-old” speaks to the roughness. I get it though — he’s chasing the sparks that we find developed later on. It’s funny how close this was written to Girl with Curious Hair, which is so much better.
Don’t think I’ve ever heard of that one, will need to check it out. Glad I’m not alone with BOTS! 😁