Something to Do with Paying Attention

Synopsis

Drifting through suburban Illinois in the 1970s, a self-described "wastoid" struggles to imagine a meaningful future. Restless and directionless, his life is transformed by an unexpected encounter with the unlikely world of advanced tax law. What begins as an ordinary career path gradually becomes a profound education in discipline, attention, and the hidden significance of seemingly mundane work, challenging everything he thought he knew about purpose and fulfillment.

Originally conceived by David Foster Wallace as a standalone novella before becoming part of The Pale King, Something to Do with Paying Attention is one of the clearest expressions of his late literary vision. Philosophical, quietly humorous, and deeply compassionate, it transforms bureaucracy into a meditation on consciousness, boredom, and the moral possibilities of paying close attention to the world around us.

About the Author

David Foster Wallace (1962–2008) was one of the most influential American writers of his generation. The author of Infinite Jest, The Pale King, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, and numerous acclaimed essays, he was celebrated for his intellectual ambition, emotional depth, and stylistic innovation. This McNally Editions volume presents the complete novella Wallace intended to publish separately, with a foreword by Sarah McNally.

Publisher
McNally Editions

Publication Date
April 5, 2022

Format
Paperback

Pages
152

Subjects
Literary Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · American Literature

ISBN
9781946022271