I recently read 'The Mezzanine' by Nicholson Baker over the summer. The book was very interesting, especially with the different writing style, with the footnotes (something not really used that much is modern writing). However, one of the most bizarre aspects of the book is the way Baker takes a mundane life and makes the character seem to have an interesting life. Sure, many aspects of his life seems boring. For one, he works in an simple, office. There isn't anything wrong with working in an office, but it sure isn't exciting. He seems to be doing alright in life, since evidence throughout the book shows that he can afford things, but he sure isn't rich and extremely wealthy.
Even with the seemingly boring life, Baker somehow makes Howie life seem fun and adventurous. The way he looks at life and all the small details shows that he doesn't believe in life being very monotonous and small events that happen everyday can be thought up as an adventure. Moreover, the way Howie goes into detail about the little things is rarely in a negative way. Instead he describe things we, as readers, usually take for granted. For example, he talked about milk cartons. He went on about how the design was perfect and the designers did a great job. Appreciation for small things like this is very uplifting and gets us to think more about how everyone life is filled with these interesting thing, no matter how "boring" a life is.
In retrospect, this is the aspect that turns 'The Mezzanine' to more than just an interesting book. Yes, the author was great with the footnotes. Yes, the remarks were interesting. But, the book, to me, seemed to show that there is a brighter future; that life can be boring but there is always something interesting. Yes, even an escalator ride. What do you guys think about the bigger picture of the Mezzanine? Do you think its as uplifting as I do?
Even with the seemingly boring life, Baker somehow makes Howie life seem fun and adventurous. The way he looks at life and all the small details shows that he doesn't believe in life being very monotonous and small events that happen everyday can be thought up as an adventure. Moreover, the way Howie goes into detail about the little things is rarely in a negative way. Instead he describe things we, as readers, usually take for granted. For example, he talked about milk cartons. He went on about how the design was perfect and the designers did a great job. Appreciation for small things like this is very uplifting and gets us to think more about how everyone life is filled with these interesting thing, no matter how "boring" a life is.
In retrospect, this is the aspect that turns 'The Mezzanine' to more than just an interesting book. Yes, the author was great with the footnotes. Yes, the remarks were interesting. But, the book, to me, seemed to show that there is a brighter future; that life can be boring but there is always something interesting. Yes, even an escalator ride. What do you guys think about the bigger picture of the Mezzanine? Do you think its as uplifting as I do?
I totally agree with your review of "The Mezzanine." Not only does Baker explore the mundane and boring in everyday life, but he does it in an optimistic manner. Howie, being the vessel to carry Baker's message, goes through a series of detailed thoughts into his very uneventful day. Each memory he recalls carries an underlying theme through which Baker communicates to the reader. It transforms the story into a treasure hunt for the reader to discover the messages in each passage. This aspect, which you brought up, is what turns "The Mezzanine" into more than an interesting novel, even if it takes place on an escalator.
ReplyDeleteI guess I was one of the people who didn’t really find the big picture of the Mezzanine exciting or portraying a bright future in some way. Reading this book led me more to think about how unique of a mind Howie has. However, I don’t think this is a book that made me really stop and think, “oh I wish I thought this way” or something along “wow I can be bored but wait look how cool the world is.” Mostly, I just saw Howie as a representation of how adult life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, after all Howie isn’t really interested in his own life but the objects around him. I don’t know, there’s probably people who disagree with me.
ReplyDeleteNo, I can definitely see that point of view too. It is very interesting to me also how Howie can ignore what most people are really concerned about, such as their job and profession and be so amazed at what most people wouldn't take a second glance at. It really makes me try to take life show. I agree that it the book shows a second view of the world. On second thought, the book stands out because it seems to me to have a overarching theme, but also shows how to really enjoy life and its interesting features.
DeleteIt really can be an uplifting book and I think it just shows how much your perspective on life affects you. If you appreciate the little things your life seems so much more interesting even if to others it sounds boring. If you look at life optimistically then it doesn't seem so dull. Adult life doesn't sound so amazing after reading this but it shows how you can make anything interesting with a new point of view.
ReplyDeleteI like the "book review" style of this post (and the clever use of the phrase "best life" in the title). In general though, I think this post made me think about the idea of subjectivity. There's no objective, factual definition of "fun" and "interesting". Tasks we see as mundane and boring may be wildly interesting to another person. So I wouldn't say that Baker makes Howie's life seem interesting (because interesting is different for different people). Instead, I'd say that Nicholson Baker helps the reader understand WHY Howie finds certain things in his life interesting. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI found this book quite boring regardless. Unique, Yes. Relaxing? Yes. Interesting? sure. But it was hard to keep in my hand as there was nothing that kept me on the edge of my seat. It is probably just my own personal preference in books.
ReplyDeleteThere is also another way of looking at the Mezzanine. Rather than being optimistic like Baker is. There is also a pessimistic way of viewing this book. His life has gotten to the point that it is so boring that he has to block it out with other things or he would drive himself insane with the boredom that is his life. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It's an interesting observation that Howie almost never talks about things in a negative way. Perhaps this optimistic point of view is what allows or enhances his thoughts on such small and simple details? Maybe we could all take a book from Howie and stop thinking about all the things due in weeks, months, years, and just start focusing on today, on next period, on right now. While this book was boring to read for me, you've introduced a new level of positivity it presents that I had not seen before.
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