| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Monsieur |
Posted - 09/08/2005 : 04:38:34
During this semmer, when the weather was bad and I couldn't go to the beach, I tried to read some books I thought I should have read.
So I tried reading The New York Trilogy, by Paul Auster.
I was surprised how bad it was! It was a very poorly written and incredibly weak attempt to bring some sort of Kafka feeling into a bad and cheap detective novel. It wasn't even ridiculous - some books are so bad they are ridiculous, which makes them good.
I am convinced that if you take an average guy on the street and make him write a novel, his story will come out as way better than this.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Scarla O |
Posted - 09/09/2005 : 01:39:42
Yes that unknowing transformation of being seems to be a recurring theme in Auster's books.
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the tips turn down oh my vicious thumbs... |
| danjersey |
Posted - 09/08/2005 : 20:58:45
i liked the becoming of a bum bit.
"You're constantly in a state of becoming" |
| Monsieur |
Posted - 09/08/2005 : 06:38:18
A couple of very stupid quotes by Auster (in general, not necessarily in this book):
"Actually Brooklyn has a long literary history, and we shouldn't forget it"
- For how long has Brooklyn existed?
"It was a wrong number that started it, the telephone ringing three times in the dead of night, and the voice on the other end asking for someone he was not."
- An extremely weak opening sentence. "that started it" sounds extremely cheap and vulgar, i suppose he doesn't like openings. "asking someone he was not" sounds like written by an 8 year old.
"You see, the interesting thing about books, as opposed, say, to films, is that it's always just one person encountering the book, it's not an audience, it's one to one."
- Well thank you Mr Auster, we would never have realized that without your cunning sense of observation.
I will show you fear in a handful of dust |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 09/08/2005 : 06:13:05
I hated moon palace but read new york trilogy and it consumed my day. Nothing existed while I was reading it, I thought it amazing and still like to pick it up. The only other Auster book I have read is the book of illusions which is also superb I think. I love getting drawn into books when I'm reading them and I think he pulls you right into the story.
Really? I don't think I have met anyone who has read new york trilogy (well.. ok there's not many people) who didn't love it.
What about the writing didn't you like Monsieur? |
| edwina |
Posted - 09/08/2005 : 04:50:20
quote:
Originally posted by Scarla O
I couldn't disagree more.
I wasn't sure about the few pages of 'The New York Trilogy' but it pulled me in and now I think he is a fantastic writer that has a lot to say about being/identity.
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the tips turn down oh my vicious thumbs...
I concur. The first book I've read by Paul Auster was Moon Palace, and I was immediately hooked.
Admittedly, the first time I tried to read The NY Trilogy I couldn't get into it, but then I tried again and got to like it a lot, in the end.
Leviathan, the Music of Chance and the above mentioned Moon Palace are possibly a better introduction to Auster though, in my opinion. |
| Scarla O |
Posted - 09/08/2005 : 04:45:34
I couldn't disagree more.
I wasn't sure about the few pages of 'The New York Trilogy' but it pulled me in and now I think he is a fantastic writer that has a lot to say about being/identity.
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the tips turn down oh my vicious thumbs... |
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