"An amusing, learned, and articulate philosophical study of one of humanity’s prime afflictions. . . Svendsen has a way with words, and, unlike many writers of philosophy books, is also blessed with a sly wit and a thorough knowledge of popular culture. You would be hard pressed to find a better book to make do with this year than this wonderful little one, which is, somehow, despite the desolation at its core, oddly uplifting."

Phil Miller | The Glasgow Herald

"A good, solid practical work of philosophy, in the tradition of Aristotle’s Ethics . . . he has a light touch and a playful attitude."

Tom Hodgkinson | The New Statesman

"When an investigation into boredom is done well, as it is in A Philosophy of Boredom, it is positively gripping."

Times Literary Supplement

"A fascinatingly modern essay on ennui and emptiness . . . Svendsen’s thesis is so cool that boredom, linked with desire rather than need, suddenly seems like a desirable state of being in an agitated age."

The Times

"Quite fascinating"-The Times Online

Ben Macintyre | The Times Online

"Lars Svendsen, author of A Philosophy of Boredom, is anything but boring on the subject."

Harry Mount | The Daily Telegraph

"For a serious work of philosophy, Boredom exhibits a light touch and impressive pop-cultural range. . . . It’s not boring."

Village Voice

"Far from boring, this is a highly accessible and entertaining study."

The Age

"An engaging read . . . touches upon many points which indeed are central to anthropological concerns. . . . I highly recommend this book."

Yasmine Musharbash | Australian Journal of Anthropology

"Witty. . . . Unlike Scandinavian philosophers known for sterile prose styles, Svendsen combines droll dismissal of statistical research, incisive readings of boredom art . . . and etymological ponderings of the nuances among boredom. . . . You will not be bored reading him for the first time."

Carlin Romano | Philadelphia Inquirer