I loved The New York Trilogy and have been wanting to follow up with more of his works for a while. This resparks that initiative. Also glad to learn more about him and his perspective.
Love this - it really makes me want to check out Paul Auster. My only interaction with Auster has been the Jim Jarmusch films (with a film-major daughter in town from school in NYC, I'm thinking we need to screen Blue in the Face). And, I should read the guy, perhaps starting with the New York trilogy! But, this also reminded me how much I love the stories of Siri Hustvedt who was married to him - so likely I'll go and check out a couple of her books I haven't read as well! Thank you as always for the inspiration. 🌷
While I am aware of Auster, and his recent passing, I have never read any of his books and I even own "The Book of Illusions" which has been sitting on my shelf for years (it was a gift). I get the feeling I might like his work and if I were to start, I am tempted to start with what I have, even though, I did not see this title on your shelf, Kate. As for influence, even without having read Auster, I am sure there is indirect influence to be had. As far as I know, he was a huge fan of Poe and so am I, so there's one influence already we have in common.
I was so happy to open my inbox and see an article dedicated to Paul Auster. Over the years I’ve asked many of my bookish friends if they knew him and I’m the only one in my network who had even heard his name. The news of his passing saddened me yet I felt I had no one to share it with and couldn’t bear folks saying, “who?”
It’s rare I pick up books without having heard of the author or getting a recommendation, but when I saw Oracle Night in a bookstore the name itself was so alluring. I felt I had a private relationship with him, not even knowing of other books he had out.
I’ve only read Oracle Night and Book of Illusions and both truly gripped me. There’s something so personal in his writing, he fully takes you on the journey as if walking hip-to-hip. I agree with your description of his writing, so beautiful without being flowery.
Thanks Jill, happy to read this. I know what you mean - more of my friends in Europe seem to know him than Americans for some reason. I love this idea of walking hip-to-hip. I think that captures his style very well. 💜
For once, I’m at a loss for words! It’s always been hard for me to figure out why Auster’s writing appeals to me so much. I burned out on him after reading six or seven books, but he was my favorite modern writer for a while there.
The burnout was on my end, not his; I’m usually drawn to short stories and I struggle to finish novels, and it occurs to me that this didn’t keep me from reading a bunch of Auster’s.
You touched on a lot of what’s good about him here; the wisdom and the hard work on words to get them lined up to create the Auster effect. His ability with translation is also important, and I suspect you’re right about the French influence having crept into him.
I like Stephen Crane a lot too, although he’s another writer I can’t quite analyze. Maybe the problem is that I read both of them back before I thought much about analyzing writers. I just enjoyed their work. I should go back and check them out again; maybe I’ve learned something since reading them.
Amazing Karl. I had these similar feelings about Auster's work! I also needed a breather a couple times. He can be so immersive...you just want to keep going...but there's a lot of other good stuff out there! Although it's a MASSIVE book, I recommend 4321. Especially if you know a lot of this other stuff, you might find it interesting the way he kind of brings a lot of this together.
Thanks for the great comment and going back to this!
Thank you for this Kate, I have to confess that I haven't read anything by Auster! So I will have to go and remedy that - he sounds like a fascinating writer.
I loved The New York Trilogy and have been wanting to follow up with more of his works for a while. This resparks that initiative. Also glad to learn more about him and his perspective.
Great, hope you enjoy it!
Love this - it really makes me want to check out Paul Auster. My only interaction with Auster has been the Jim Jarmusch films (with a film-major daughter in town from school in NYC, I'm thinking we need to screen Blue in the Face). And, I should read the guy, perhaps starting with the New York trilogy! But, this also reminded me how much I love the stories of Siri Hustvedt who was married to him - so likely I'll go and check out a couple of her books I haven't read as well! Thank you as always for the inspiration. 🌷
Those films are so good! I haven't read enough from Hustvedt and really want to dive in as well. Thank you, Jane! :)
While I am aware of Auster, and his recent passing, I have never read any of his books and I even own "The Book of Illusions" which has been sitting on my shelf for years (it was a gift). I get the feeling I might like his work and if I were to start, I am tempted to start with what I have, even though, I did not see this title on your shelf, Kate. As for influence, even without having read Auster, I am sure there is indirect influence to be had. As far as I know, he was a huge fan of Poe and so am I, so there's one influence already we have in common.
THAT is a great book. I’m also an avid library user. :) what a nice gift someone has given you.
Ah yes Poe. If you like him, you will surely enjoy Auster.
Thanks for the comment, Alexander.
I was so happy to open my inbox and see an article dedicated to Paul Auster. Over the years I’ve asked many of my bookish friends if they knew him and I’m the only one in my network who had even heard his name. The news of his passing saddened me yet I felt I had no one to share it with and couldn’t bear folks saying, “who?”
It’s rare I pick up books without having heard of the author or getting a recommendation, but when I saw Oracle Night in a bookstore the name itself was so alluring. I felt I had a private relationship with him, not even knowing of other books he had out.
I’ve only read Oracle Night and Book of Illusions and both truly gripped me. There’s something so personal in his writing, he fully takes you on the journey as if walking hip-to-hip. I agree with your description of his writing, so beautiful without being flowery.
Thanks for giving him this tribute.
Thanks Jill, happy to read this. I know what you mean - more of my friends in Europe seem to know him than Americans for some reason. I love this idea of walking hip-to-hip. I think that captures his style very well. 💜
Oh no, you haven't written about Paul Auster *and* jazz! Have a little mercy, please, a fellow needs to get some work done today!
Happy to distract you, Jason! ☺️
For once, I’m at a loss for words! It’s always been hard for me to figure out why Auster’s writing appeals to me so much. I burned out on him after reading six or seven books, but he was my favorite modern writer for a while there.
The burnout was on my end, not his; I’m usually drawn to short stories and I struggle to finish novels, and it occurs to me that this didn’t keep me from reading a bunch of Auster’s.
You touched on a lot of what’s good about him here; the wisdom and the hard work on words to get them lined up to create the Auster effect. His ability with translation is also important, and I suspect you’re right about the French influence having crept into him.
I like Stephen Crane a lot too, although he’s another writer I can’t quite analyze. Maybe the problem is that I read both of them back before I thought much about analyzing writers. I just enjoyed their work. I should go back and check them out again; maybe I’ve learned something since reading them.
Amazing Karl. I had these similar feelings about Auster's work! I also needed a breather a couple times. He can be so immersive...you just want to keep going...but there's a lot of other good stuff out there! Although it's a MASSIVE book, I recommend 4321. Especially if you know a lot of this other stuff, you might find it interesting the way he kind of brings a lot of this together.
Thanks for the great comment and going back to this!
I very sadly did not know him before your article! So inspiring, thank you for this beautiful insight. The interview was also totally worth of!
It's never too late to discover Auster! Happy you liked the interview :) I find him so inspirational and wise.
I'd never heard of Auster before, so it's interesting to be introduced to his writings.
Also...just read your link on "Why do we spend time writing?" and it really resonated! Thanks for sharing : )
The research was so useful for myself! :)
Thank you for this Kate, I have to confess that I haven't read anything by Auster! So I will have to go and remedy that - he sounds like a fascinating writer.