The Mezzanine is a startlingly inventive and witty novel that takes a seemingly mundane ride on an office escalator and transforms it into a brilliant exploration of everyday life. As the narrator returns to work after buying shoelaces, Baker lends the associative richness of Marcel Proust's madeleines to everyday objects like milk cartons and shoelaces.

This novel delves into the eight most significant advances in a human life, starting with the simple act of shoe-tying. It poses intriguing questions, like whether hot air blowers in bathrooms are indeed more sanitary than towels, and casts a dazzling light on our relationships with the objects and people we often take for granted.

Baker's unconventional, conversational style and sharp storytelling turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, making The Mezzanine a celebration of reflection and the importance of everyday human experiences.