The plot of Nicholson Baker’s debut novel is simple: A man, returning to his office building from a lunch hour that included milk, a cookie, a small errand, and a stroll, goes up an escalator. That’s it. Only 135 pages long, and graced with numerous lengthy and absorbingly digressive footnotes, this is a wise, patient exploration of that unseen mental space in which we pass our time—and it’s very funny to boot.
I really liked it. He has such a descriptive way with words. I love how his mind kept going off on tangents from one thought to the next thinking about all the other things about a phrase he just used that many use. One he used was 'often wondered' which made him think of how many times that really was.
It was very Proustian in a modern sort of way. I found it much easier than Proust and could muse with him on the change from glass delivery milk to cartons!
Funny, engrossing, it reads like no other book I know.
0
Add Reply
Post Reply
Agree (8)
Life's too short (12)
Want to read
Share
Post Comment
We use cookies on this website
We use cookies to recognize you when you return to this website so you do not have to log in again. By continuing to use this site, you are giving us your consent to do this. You can read more about our practices and your choices here.