Mark Books

The Pale King would have been his best work yet had Wallace lived to see it through. As it stands, the book contains some of DFW's best writing in what amounts to a series of linked stories and character studies. In pursuing themes of mindfulness and attention in the face of boredom and the pervasive sadness of the human condition, Wallace crafts heartbreakingly real characters whose back-stories are the best parts of this book. Read this if you've read Infinite Jest and want more. Otherwise read Infinite Jest. [full review]