Nicholson Baker

Nicholson Baker (born January 7, 1957) is a contemporary American novelist.

Work

Baker's highly unconventional novels de-emphasize traditional elements (particularly plot), focusing instead on close introspection and the sifting of thoughts and memories by the narrator.

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Web postings and other data suggest that readers divide sharply in their evaluation of Baker's work. Many feel that his writing wastes time on trivia (Stephen King has notoriously compared Baker's work with fingernail clippings). Baker's enthusiasts, however, find his ability to minutely inspect and appreciate the contents of a human mind fascinating and unique. They often uncover echoes of their own thoughts, only better expressed, in Baker's books, and they find that Baker can also be extremely funny.

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Plot ingredients of several of Baker's books (in particular, voyeurism and planned assassination) have been seen as extremely offensive by some. Other readers admire Baker's courage in taking on such topics with directness and honesty.

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