probably not what you're after ...but one of my favorite authors is elizabeth bowen who wove her stories around....nothing. this was how she kept me interested: it was a delicate intrigue that amounted to nothing when the story was over....but the interest in this "something" kept my attention. and when i got done, i found i had been engrossed --not by nothing--but for the interaction of plot and characters. and her sensibility, settings and language which were always very good.