The Pale King: An Unfinished Novel
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
The "breathtakingly brilliant" novel by the author of Infinite Jest (New York Times) is a deeply compelling and satisfying story, as hilarious and fearless and original as anything Wallace ever wrote. The agents at the IRS Regional Examination Center in Peoria, Illinois, appear ordinary enough to newly arrived trainee David Foster Wallace. But as he immerses himself in a routine so tedious and repetitive that new employees receive boredom-survival training, he learns of the extraordinary variety of personalities drawn to this strange calling. And he has arrived at a moment when forces within the IRS are plotting to eliminate even what little humanity and dignity the work still has. The Pale King remained unfinished at the time of David Foster Wallace's death, but it is a deeply compelling and satisfying novel, hilarious and fearless and as original as anything Wallace ever undertook. It grapples directly with ultimate questions -- questions of life's meaning and of the value of work and society -- through characters imagined with the interior force and generosity that were Wallace's unique gifts. Along the way it suggests a new idea of heroism and commands infinite respect for one of the most daring writers of our time. "The Pale King is by turns funny, shrewd, suspenseful, piercing, smart, terrifying, and rousing." --Laura Miller, Salon
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0316074233
ISBN13:9780316074230
Release Date:April 2011
Publisher:Little Brown and Company
Length:560 Pages
Weight:1.89 lbs.
Dimensions:1.7" x 6.4" x 9.4"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
Published by Randy Ehrler , 11 months ago
David Foster Wallace was a literary genius, gifted with the ability to delve deep into the complex inner lives of his characters. But his brilliance goes beyond mere storytelling. With surgical precision, Wallace constructs a captivating map of the human experience, revealing that our true connection to the world lies not in grandiose moments, but in the countless, seemingly unimportant tasks that fill our days. In "The Pale King," he challenges our perception of heroism by shining a spotlight on none other than IRS agents. Yes, you read that right. According to Wallace, these unsung heroes navigate the mundane realities of modern life with relentless efficiency, performing the overlooked tasks that keep our world in order. Cleaning, feeding, nursing, accounting – these seemingly trivial activities are the very fabric of our existence. They may go unnoticed and unappreciated by some, even resented by others, but in Wallace's world, the mundane is the true hero. Life is found in the everyday, my friends. Embrace it!
The Pale King Mentions in Our Blog
Author Tag-Teaming
Published by Ashly Moore Sheldon • May 26, 2024
When an author passes away, it is fairly common for them to leave behind unfinished manuscripts. In other cases, authors have outlined an entire series of books, but are unable to complete them all. Sometimes called continuation books or series, these twelve tag-teamed projects were all started by one author and finished by another.
Five Bestselling Author Handoffs and Collaborations
Published by Beth Clark • January 31, 2019
Did you know that Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl series, also wrote book #6 in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams? Or that David Foster Wallace's editor finished writing The Pale King? True story. Turns out, there have been other handoffs and collaborations, so here are five of the best and the stories behind them.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
