"For years I’d been embroiled in a mystery of microscopic proportions" Don't we all. I love this essay. I've always been captivated by the beauty of words and the images they create. Thank you
When I'm having trouble finding the best way to capture a thought on paper, I remind myself that Nicholson Baker could undoubtedly find the right words, and therefore -- eventually -- so can I.
Well, I'd say there are 3 good entry points: 1. The Mezzanine, his first novel, a short, funny, dense introduction to his hyper-detailed brilliant thing. 2. U & I, maybe my favorite of his books -- a book-length essay on his obsession with John Updike (good even if you've never read or don't like Updike). 3. The Anthologist --a more recent, much mellower novel, about a guy struggling to write the introduction to a poetry anthology, in the course of which you learn a lot of amazing stuff about poetry and just generally have a great, meandering time.
Oh fun! I hope you like him -- he's one of my most reread authors (I've got copies of U&I and The Mezzanine that are just about literally falling apart).
Well done , as usual. You’ve captured an example of a common struggle with memory and used it to make an excellent broader point.
"For years I’d been embroiled in a mystery of microscopic proportions" Don't we all. I love this essay. I've always been captivated by the beauty of words and the images they create. Thank you
This is one of my favorite of your essays...you should sell t-shirts with the last sentence.
When I'm having trouble finding the best way to capture a thought on paper, I remind myself that Nicholson Baker could undoubtedly find the right words, and therefore -- eventually -- so can I.
that's a very nice form of encouragement! he really is remarkable.
Where should I start with Nicholson Baker?
Well, I'd say there are 3 good entry points: 1. The Mezzanine, his first novel, a short, funny, dense introduction to his hyper-detailed brilliant thing. 2. U & I, maybe my favorite of his books -- a book-length essay on his obsession with John Updike (good even if you've never read or don't like Updike). 3. The Anthologist --a more recent, much mellower novel, about a guy struggling to write the introduction to a poetry anthology, in the course of which you learn a lot of amazing stuff about poetry and just generally have a great, meandering time.
Thank you Ben!
I'm glad you found the sentence and shared it. That sentence gave me chills (appropriately enough), it's so good.
Reminds me of a delicious Douglas Crase line that closes his poem, "The Revisionists":
'.... Although the past
Seems to be level in its place there's room for more
And the ragged additions polish the previous days.'
"polish the previous days" ..... chills.
that's gorgeous! i'd never read that
And since I encountered this essay in a coffee shop about 2 blocks from the Strand, after my work I walked over and bought the Nicholson book.
Oh fun! I hope you like him -- he's one of my most reread authors (I've got copies of U&I and The Mezzanine that are just about literally falling apart).
Yes, I trust your advice on sentence makers extraordinaire. I will get to the Mezzaanine, for sure.