Review: The Pale King

In one sense, reading The Pale King is a sad experience. It is an unfinished work and it feels unfinished, and not in the postmodern way that a lot of Wallace’s fiction feels unfinished, but in the sense that you can see what Wallace was trying to do, but also wasn’t finished doing. You find yourself wishing that he had spent some more time on it, and not just because it would mean he still might be around.

That being said, reading The Pale King is also a joyous experience, because as much as you can see where Wallace hadn’t quite accomplished what he set out to do, you also get to witness the multiple moments when he did. For every clunky moment there are three brilliant ones, for every bit that doesn’t pay off there are dozens that do. Some of the book’s characters still need fleshing out, but many of them are as vivid and vital as any Wallace has ever written.

What anyone who picks up The Pale King needs to understand, going in, is that this isn’t Wallace’s best work. There was simply no way it could be. The good news is that it contains some of his best work, and that is no small thing.

If you are new to Wallace’s work, this is not the place to begin, but as you come to love what DFW can do (or if you already have), you will want to make sure and include this among your must-reads. The rough edges can serve to make the best bits even better, one last reminder of just how brilliant that Wallace can be.

~Kester Smith, BookPeople bookseller

Join us on Friday, April 15th when we head to the Harry Ransom Center for a celebration of the release of The Pale King. Readings from the novel will be followed by a reception and book sale.  More info is available HERE (just scroll down.)  The Pale King is on sale now.