"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