The Mezzanine is a stellar representation of a few different novel templates. Baker's piece can function as a stream-of-consciousness narrative, a "book about nothing", a bizarre, joyous character study of an attentive desk-job attendant, but also as an unflinching love letter to the twentieth century. The success (as I have perceived it) draws from defamiliarizing the many objects of the constantly morphing world we live in, as well as describing social situations unique to the modern age in humorous, relatable fashion.
The objects explored and explicated in The Mezzanine are always those created in the past few decades it seems. Howie's insistence on the artful texture of these items, that we frequently go by without noticing, breathes new life into the way one looks at our new world. However, the focus of the book isn't solely on the objects, rather it zooms in on the human interaction and enjoyment of the creations. In this way, by capturing microcosms of new technology with many people using them, it dedicates itself to encapsulating twentieth century life.
Another facet of this book, long after now, will be as a time capsule. Viewers will be able to cherish the subjects of The Mezzanine as they've possibly gone out of use. Perhaps Howie's enthusiasm for the items isn't the sweeping opinion of everyone that lives in this day and age, but future readers can be reminded of the old times, and maybe even learn about stuff (physical realm or social realm) they've never heard of before. The question is; will the entertainment value still exist if the items all go out of use? That's for another time I suppose.
