What is a good place to start with Paul Auster?

Cafe Society
1

That’s the question. I tried to hijack a thread and ask. But alas, I am overwhelmed with guilt. I am a huge Siri Husvedt fan and have read that the two’s work has some style similarities. Any suggestions?

2

Try starting with “the music of chance” and if you like it, just keep going and get “the NY trilogy”, very very good!

I hope you enjoy it!

Try to see the movie “smoke” too!!! He wrote it I believe, i liked it (although a litte odd!)

3

Definitely the New York trilogy. Last time I checked, all three novels were being published together into one single book. Bonus: Siri actually makes an appearance in one of the books.

“The Country of Last Things” is also great post-apocalyptic literature, if you’re interested in that.

Paul Auster, how I love thee!

4

A favourite of mine is Mr. Vertigo. Also, I highly recommend the movie Smoke of wich Auster is the screenwriter. There are some beautiful stories in the movie, including one about a camera theif, that are apparently based on Auster’s short stories. William Hurt’s soliloquy on how to weigh smoke is alone worth the price of a rental.

Also, ditto on the New York Trilogy.

5

Good recommendations all. Mr. Vertigo and The Music of Chance are two of my faves.

6

PS. In case the books in the New York Trilogy are now published separately, their titles are City of Glass, Ghosts, and The Locked Room.

7

Thanks. I think I will try the trilogy. I did see Smoke, but didn’t know he had written the screenplay until later.

8

Timbuktu sucks. Leviathan and Moon Palace are good. That’s my opinion.

9

lol! I was that thread’s originator (“Suggestions on a new author…”), and your question was/is perfectly on topic (not that I am seriously offended by hijacks in any case). I was asking for someone new to read, and if I chose Paul Auster, I too would like to know which book I should start with…

Oh, by the way, my friend’s uncle’s co-worker said that Leviathan is his best novel, and that one should start there. For what it’s worth…

  • Wind
10

For what its worth, I just finished ‘The Invention of Solitude’ which covers Auster’s reflections on the death of his Father and his relationship with his son amongst other things.

I found it to be an insightful and touching work, if a little self indulgent in places.

But I do recommend it.

11

If you liked “Smoke,” find “Blue in the Face.” It’s the same actors and characters from “Smoke” doing improv with whomever else was on the studio lot.