Overall, I was left feeling slightly empty. It reminded me of (how I remember) Stoner, with its purposefully plain (i.e. maybe sometimes boring) prose. Or as the preface would phrase it, the language in this book operates with a " calm and poise that replaces the pyrotechnics of Infinite Jest and other early works." It is repetitive and normal and mundane text about the most repetitive and normal and mundane topic of all time (which is the starkest contrast imaginable from Infinite Jest, an infinitely entertaining and addicting book about topics of entertainment and addiction), until the scene of the lecture, which I did enjoy and find a little inspiring maybe. But if this was some book I happened to grab from some little free library, I don't know if I would have stuck with it.

Strangely, I might have loved the preface by Sarah McNally more than the actual book, which had thoughtful phrases and thoughtful thoughts - ideas and perspective that made me want to like the book much more than I think I did. But at the same time, I think I will think about this story for a while, which in some ways is a measure of a good book. Also I love the phrase wastoid and will use it often (red dotted under lines be damned!).