January / Thriller Reading: The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster

[Scheherazade]

In January, we will be reading The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster.

Please post your comments in this thread.

Review
Three postmodern, dream-like tales of urban paranoia on the subject of the nature of identity. In the first a crime writer is drawn into a mysterious investigation; in the second a man spies on someone from an apartment; and in the third the childhood friend of a disappeared man is made his literary executor. Auster's prose glitters and beguiles, but does not offer anything as mundane as objective truth. (Kirkus UK)

Product Description
Three stories on the nature of identity. In the first a detective writer is drawn into a curious and baffling investigation, in the second a man is set up in an apartment to spy on someone, and the third concerns the disappearance of a man whose childhood friend is left as his literary executor. http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-York-Tri...8256876&sr=1-1

[NickAdams]

It was a nomination that started it, one of ten, and was followed by a number of votes in it's favor. The nominee, and eventual winner, was a trilogy of novels collectively known as The New York Trilogy. After reading the first chapter, I thought it would be fun to follow Quinns journey around the Upper East Side and take and post photographs of places mentioned; I thought I would try to enhance the book club experience this year.

[Virgil]

Oh Gee, I would love to read this but I'm swamped this month. I'm holding out for Kim for February.

[Paige19]

I'm picking up my copy at the library tomorrow.

I love your idea, NickAdams!

[Tallon]

Picked mine up from the library today and read the first chapter on the bus home. My interest was immediately peaked by the phonecall so hopefully i'll enjoy it.

[Virgil]

It was a nomination that started it, one of ten, and was followed by a number of votes in it's favor. The nominee, and eventual winner, was a trilogy of novels collectively known as The New York Trilogy. After reading the first chapter, I thought it would be fun to follow Quinns journey around the Upper East Side and take and post photographs of places mentioned; I thought I would try to enhance the book club experience this year.

I'm picking up my copy at the library tomorrow.

I love your idea, NickAdams!

Oh now I'm really going to be jealous. I could enhance those experiences too. I may have to alter my reading priorites.

Actually if the three stories are not interlinked, I would not have to read all three.

[papayahed]

I'm about half done with the first story and I have to say it's a little creepy at the moment.

[NickAdams]

I'm picking up my copy at the library tomorrow.

I love your idea, NickAdams!

I'll have to wait until the rain passes which will be a day or two even though the rain would add accuracy to a certain scene.

Oh now I'm really going to be jealous. I could enhance those experiences too. I may have to alter my reading priorites.

Actually if the three stories are not interlinked, I would not have to read all three.

The first story, City of Glass is only 124 pages, or so, long and they're stand alone ... I think.

Picked mine up from the library today and read the first chapter on the bus home. My interest was immediately peaked by the phonecall so hopefully i'll enjoy it.

Auster had me at the "limp penis".

I'm about half done with the first story and I have to say it's a little creepy at the moment.

It gets creepier.

[Tallon]

Yes, it is unusual to have read "limp penis" and "turd" so early in a novel :P

[Virgil]

Yes, it is unusual to have read "limp penis" and "turd" so early in a novel :P

It depends what age you are, Tallon. Obviously you are not over forty.

[TheFifthElement]

Picked mine up from the library today and read the first chapter on the bus home. My interest was immediately peaked by the phonecall so hopefully i'll enjoy it.

That first line is brilliant. It just captivates.

Oh now I'm really going to be jealous. I could enhance those experiences too. I may have to alter my reading priorites.

Actually if the three stories are not interlinked, I would not have to read all three.

Virgil, if you can't read them all (they are kind of linked but the link is soft) at the very least try to read City of Glass. It is the best of the trilogy, in my opinion, and a well worthwhile read.

I find Auster's prose and approach in City of Glass very clipped and precise, as though it is a logical puzzle and each word, each step, has been chosen very specifically and very precisely. I also love that he is writing about someone masquerading as Paul Auster, the detective, and the Peter Stillman character 'my name is Peter Stillman. That is not my real name.'.

[Thespian1975]

Yes, it is unusual to have read "limp penis" and "turd" so early in a novel :P

It was the "expelling a turd" and the graphic toilet routine that shocked me. That said I found the scene with Peter Stillman (That's not my real name) was astounding. Pages of stream of conciousness speech that never lost it's interest.

So far up to Chapter 7 and I'm enjoying it.

[Tallon]

It depends what age you are, Tallon. Obviously you are not over forty.

Why, were there lot's of penis and turd novels before my time?
I've just read Portnoy's Complaint which is full of filth

I was also very impressed with the Stillman monologue, Auster reminds me of Haruki Murakami so far.

[lupe]

I read the trilogy a few years ago and then again "City of Glass" again last August. I really appreciated them both times and I'm sure people in the club will enjoy the reading.

Another idea to accompany the book is to watch "Smoke", which was based in Auster's script - another hymn to New York... A brilliant movie indeed.

The only book of Auster I wouldn't recommend is "Moon Palace".

I wish a good reading time to everyone...

[TheFifthElement]

.

The only book of Auster I wouldn't recommend is "Moon Palace".

Ditto that. Like crawling through treacle. I gave up.