The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster (8/10)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140131558/?tag=absolutewritedm-20
This is a collection of three loosely connected novellas, ostensibly set in the mystery genre. However, I think hard-core mystery readers will find them a little too introspective and metaphysical for their tastes; it will probably be more appreciated by readers of literary fiction.
City of Glass is about an author–who writes mystery novels under a pseudonym–who receives a wrong number asking for a private detective. Pretending to be the private detective, he takes on the case that ultimately takes a bizarre twist as it addresses the very nature and essence of language, humanity, and identity.
Ghosts is a story about a private investigator, Blue, who is hired by Mr. White to report on the activities of Black, a writer. The case takes on a bizarre twist as it stretches out over a year, and tears Blue's life apart, never to be the same.
The Locked Room is about a struggling writer who is approached by the widow of his childhood friend–whom he greatly admired and was jealous of–to help publish some books and poems that were written before the friend's disappearance. The missing husband's writing is brilliant and his widow is beautiful; these two things combine to, firstly, change the direction of the narrator's personal and professional life, and, secondly, to launch him on a quest to emulate and destroy the life of his missing friend, who may not be dead after all.
If these descriptions sound weird, it's only the tip of the iceberg. Auster raises more questions than he answers, and covers a wide range of topics that will leave your head spinning. In the end, because of the loose interconnection, these stories really mess with your head, but they are entertaining. This is one book that will definitely benefit from a second reading. Also, the reason why I'm posting this on Absolutewrite.com is because writers and the craft of writing both play an important role and are extensively discussed. I highly recommend this book to the struggling writer, just so that you know someone else out there understands you.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140131558/?tag=absolutewritedm-20
This is a collection of three loosely connected novellas, ostensibly set in the mystery genre. However, I think hard-core mystery readers will find them a little too introspective and metaphysical for their tastes; it will probably be more appreciated by readers of literary fiction.
City of Glass is about an author–who writes mystery novels under a pseudonym–who receives a wrong number asking for a private detective. Pretending to be the private detective, he takes on the case that ultimately takes a bizarre twist as it addresses the very nature and essence of language, humanity, and identity.
Ghosts is a story about a private investigator, Blue, who is hired by Mr. White to report on the activities of Black, a writer. The case takes on a bizarre twist as it stretches out over a year, and tears Blue's life apart, never to be the same.
The Locked Room is about a struggling writer who is approached by the widow of his childhood friend–whom he greatly admired and was jealous of–to help publish some books and poems that were written before the friend's disappearance. The missing husband's writing is brilliant and his widow is beautiful; these two things combine to, firstly, change the direction of the narrator's personal and professional life, and, secondly, to launch him on a quest to emulate and destroy the life of his missing friend, who may not be dead after all.
If these descriptions sound weird, it's only the tip of the iceberg. Auster raises more questions than he answers, and covers a wide range of topics that will leave your head spinning. In the end, because of the loose interconnection, these stories really mess with your head, but they are entertaining. This is one book that will definitely benefit from a second reading. Also, the reason why I'm posting this on Absolutewrite.com is because writers and the craft of writing both play an important role and are extensively discussed. I highly recommend this book to the struggling writer, just so that you know someone else out there understands you.
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