Genre: Fiction (Novella)

Most of the time, when reviewers and teachers use the phrases “experimental novel” that “broadens the definition of narrative,” what they really mean is, “you’ll only like this if you liked Joyce’s Ulysses.”

That’s why The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker was the most surprising little novel I’ve read in a long time. It’s the story of an office worker’s lunch break as he rides the escalator to the mezzanine level of his building. That’s it. That’s the whole story. And yet, this stream-of-consciousness novel still manages to be entirely delightful, witty, informative, and a genuine narrative. Given my borderline-judgemental loyalty to classic narrative structure, I was unprepared for the charm, entertainment, and near-devotion this little novel inspired. If you like writing for writing’s sake, fun facts, and surprisingly profound observations about the societal impact of quotidian things, give this little novella a read.