Nothing much happens in The Anthologist: a minor poet procrastinates instead of writing an introduction to an anthology of rhymed poetry. But nothing much happens in many of Nicholson Baker's books, and the lack of incident allows Baker to focus on the minutiae of everyday thinking. I love some of Baker's earlier examples in this genre, especially The Mezzanine. I think The Anthologist lacks the attention to detail of Baker's earlier work.
The book does exude a love of poetry and has a few interesting critical ideas in it. It made me want to read more poetry. Also, aptly for a book about poetry, the language is often beautiful.
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