Although unconventional in style, this novel tells the story about the main character, Emmett. Nicholas Baker uses his writing talent to make very detailed descriptions of everyday events that most people take for granted. The main character Emmett dissects life with a keen sense of observation about every little detail. It seems that nothing that happens to him is considered insignificant.
This novel is not a very long story, but is long enough to be considered a novel, with thirty-three chapters. Nicholson Baker is the author, so it is obvious that the book was written, which is also a distinguishing characteristic of being a novel. Something else that makes "A Box of Matches" a novel is the fact that it is in prose. This simply means that it is written in ordinary speech or writing and is distinguished from verse or poetry. The story was narrated by the main character Emmett. The narrative helps support the fact of this book being considered a novel. Emmett is also considered the protagonist or main character in "A Box of Matches" which is the last qualifying element of being a novel.
Although it could be argued that Nicholson Baker's "A Box of Matches" does not really fit the usual style of a novel, it does have all of the qualifying elements. Most could argue that this story does not really have a plot or a main idea. The reader never leaves the living room of the main character Emmett. That is what makes this story so unique. This story really is a true testament to the talent and very descriptive imagination of the author Nicholson Baker. This story has the style of a very detailed diary with vivid clips from the mind of the author, Nicholson Baker.
