The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker

The book is a stream-of-consciousness narrative that delves into the thoughts of a young office worker during his lunch-hour escalator ride back to the mezzanine floor of his office building. In this brief journey, the protagonist reflects on various aspects of modern life, from the design of milk cartons to the intricacies of shoelaces. The novel is notable for its meticulous attention to the minutiae of everyday life and its exploration of the inner workings of the protagonist's mind, revealing the complexity and profundity that can be found in the most ordinary of moments.

The 3685th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 135

Since this book was first published in 1988, there is a penalty of 22.4%. The age adjusted score is 104.76.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.