Existential Despair

A provocative and transformative tour through literature as an insight into despair and how to understand it, and why the practice of reading is needed more than ever—based on the wildly popular UPenn course Existential Despair.

Imagine a class that meets for eight hours once a week. There are no devices, just one book to read in silence and discuss with the group at the end. No prep. No papers. No final exams. Just read a book and think about it.

That’s exactly what University of Pennsylvania professor Justin McDaniel—former Buddhist monk and Guggenheim Fellow—asks of his students in Existential Despair, which perhaps ironically became the most popular course on campus. Drawing on this celebrated class, McDaniel now guides readers through sixteen weeks of radical reading designed to unsettle, transform, and restore.

With bracing candor and erudite analysis, Existential Despair introduces readers to modern classics of literature by James Baldwin, Carmen Maria Machado, Yukio Mishima, Ottessa Moshfegh, Paul Bowles, and others, exploring universal themes including childhood, longing, sex, loneliness, and death. Each chapter models McDaniel’s unconventional approach: reading entire novels in one sitting, grappling with discomfort, and practicing deep concentration free of distraction. This book is not a self-help manual, nor a path to quick fixes. Instead, it offers readers an opportunity to experience what hundreds of students already have: literature as a way to wrestle with grief, meaning, and survival.

As McDaniel writes, “This is not about hope or triumph—it’s about learning to live alongside despair.”

Existential Despair is an immersive reading experience that cultivates rigorous intellectual and personal engagement, a crash course in living with focus, intention, and presence of mind.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs