THE PAUL AUSTER DECALOGY

Paul Auster 101: What Should You Read First?

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Paul Auster is an iconic figure in contemporary American literature and he’s celebrated for his masterful storytelling and innovative narrative techniques. His complete works include over 30 books and his career spans several decades. Auster has carved out a niche with his distinctive style, marked by existential themes, intricate plots, and a deep exploration of human identity and fate. Reality and fiction are divided by a blurred line, but the world he creates is definitely one worth immersing in.

In this article, we’ll honor his work by reviewing ten of his books like Leviathan, The Music of Chance, and, of course, the classics like The New York Trilogy. Enjoy the reading!

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This series comprises "City of Glass," "Ghosts," and "The Locked Room," and it is Auster’s breakthrough work. It’s a set of interconnected novels that blur the lines between detective fiction, existential philosophy, and metafiction.

Auster’s trilogy is a labyrinthine exploration of identity and reality. Each novel stands on its own yet interlinks with the others, creating a complex web that challenges readers to question the nature of narrative and existence. The main character’s descent into the heart of the city mirrors a journey into the self, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy cerebral and introspective fiction.

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Moon Palace is a heartrending coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of 1960s and 1970s America. The novel follows Marco Stanley Fogg, an orphan navigating the complexities of identity and destiny. Auster intertwines Fogg’s personal journey with the broader American experience, creating a rich tapestry of historical and emotional depth.

The narrative is marked by Auster’s signature themes of coincidence and the search for meaning. Through Fogg’s encounters with a cast of eccentric characters, the story explores the intersections of fate and free will.

Moon Palace is considered a great work due to its lyrical prose and profound meditations on human connection and resilience.

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In The Music of Chance, Auster presents a compelling tale of luck, freedom, and the boundaries of human decency. The story follows Jim Nashe, a firefighter who embarks on a road trip after inheriting a large sum of money. His chance encounter with a gambler named Jack Pozzi leads to a high-stakes poker game that changes their lives.

The novel’s minimalist style and philosophical undertones highlight Auster’s exploration of existential themes. As Nashe and Pozzi find themselves imprisoned in an absurd task**, the narrative probes the absurdity of life and the illusion of control.** The Music of Chance is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of fate and freedom.

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Leviathan is a riveting exploration of friendship, identity, and the elusive nature of truth. The novel centers on Peter Aaron, a writer who reconstructs the life of his friend Benjamin Sachs after his mysterious death. Through a series of flashbacks, Auster delves into Sach’s transformation from a celebrated author to a radical activist.

The narrative weaves both personal and political themes, reflecting on America’s social landscape. Auster’s deft storytelling and intricate character development create a suspenseful and introspective read. Leviathan stands out for its refined portrayal of the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in a turbulent world.

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Mr. Vertigo is a whimsical and darkly humorous tale of transformation and redemption. The novel follows Walter Claireborne Rawley, a young orphan who becomes a sensational levitator under the tutelage of the enigmatic Master Yehudi.

It is a story set in the 20th century, and it blends magical realism with a vivid depiction of American history. Auster’s narrative is rich with eccentric characters and disturbing moments. It explores themes of ambition, resilience, and the quest for identity. Mr. Vertigo is a testament to Auster’s imaginative storytelling and his ability to craft deeply affecting narratives that resonate with readers long after the final page.

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In this novel, Auster tells a heartwarming yet tragic story, that of Mr. Bones, a loyal dog on a quest to find his deceased master’s final resting peace. Narrated from the dog’s perspective, the novel offers a unique exploration of loyalty, love, and the human condition.

Mr. Bones’ journey through a harsh and indifferent world is both touching and absorbing.

Paul Auster paints an empathetic portrayal of the main character, the dog, who provides a fresh lens on themes of mortality and companionship. Timbuktu is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant novel. This novel is a true testimony of the author’s versatility.

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The Brooklyn Follies is a warm and witty exploration of redemption and human connection. The novel follows Nathan Glass, a retired insurance salesman who moves to Brooklyn seeking a quiet end to his life. Instead, he finds himself drawn into the lives of his estranged family and an eclectic group of Brooklynites.

This novel is particularly filled with humor and heart, it captures the vibrancy and diversity of the borough. The novel’s mixed stories reflect on the complexities of modern life and the enduring power of hope and second chances. The Brooklyn Follies is a celebration of the small joys and unexpected connections that define our lives.

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Travels in the Scriptorium is a metafictional puzzle that, once again, blurs the line between reality and fiction. This novel is centered on Mr. Blank, an amnesiac confined to a room, piecing together his identity and purpose from cryptic notes and photographs.

Auster’s minimalist style and fragmented narrative create a sense of disorientation and intrigue. The novel explores themes of memory, authorship, and the act of creation, inviting readers to question the nature of existence. Travels in the Scriptorium is a provoking and enigmatic work that showcases Auster’s skill in blending philosophical inquiry with narrative experimentation.

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We’re close to an end and Invisible needs to be part of the list. Why? Because it is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the puzzling truth. The novel follows Adam Walker, a young aspiring poet who encounters, by chance, a mysterious Frenchman. This encounter sets off a chain of events that will alter both their lives. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, revealing the complexities of memory and identity.

Auster’s deft narrative structure and rich character development create a haunting and immersive reading experience. Invisible is praised for its intricate plotting and profound exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. Master of suspense, this novel portrays a deep understanding of the human psyche.

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4 3 2 1 is an ambitious and sprawling epic that explores the divergent paths a single life can take. The novel revolves around Archibald Isaac Ferguson, whose life splits into four distinctive narratives, hence the title. Each of these is shaped by different choices and circumstances.

The author deploys meticulous storytelling and rich prose full of details that bring each version to life.

The novel reflects on themes of fate, identity, and the impact of historical events on individual lives. 4 3 2 1 is celebrated for its inventive structure, which might seem difficult to follow, but it is definitely worth doing to get a profound insight into the human condition.

Stock up on short words

Did you know you can use these words in Scrabble? Unusual 3-letter words

Need a few tricks up your sleeve for playing Scrabble? It’s not always the long words that will impress the other players: Sometimes it’s the surprisingly short combination of letters that none of them knew. Have you ever heard of unassuming three-letter words like "cwm" or "zax"? Those aren’t typos! Let’s explore some of the most obscure –yet perfectly valid– three-letter words.

Before you ask: it’s pronounced "koom". If you run out of vowels in your Scrabble set, this might save you. It refers to a deep, steep-walled valley, often carved by glaciers.

The term comes from Welsh, where it simply means "valley." Many places in Wales proudly bear the name, such as Cwmbran, a town in South Wales, or Cwmtwrch, a village with a name that translates to "Valley of the Wild Boar."

A "zax" is a tool used for cutting or trimming roof slates with precision. The word shares linguistic roots with seax, an Old English word for a short sword or knife.

Plus, in Scrabble, the mighty "Z" (10 points!) paired with "A" (1 point) and "X" (8 points) makes this one of the highest-scoring three-letter words you can play!

No, it’s not a mythical sea creature. "Voe" refers to a small bay or narrow creek that extends inland from the sea. These sheltered inlets are particularly found in Scotland, where they provided safe harbor for fishermen and sailors for centuries.

Some of these sailors were Vikings who once ruled the territory, and who called these bays with the Old Norse word vágr (bay or inlet.)

If you ever see a rowdy, loudmouthed troublemaker being kicked out of a bar in Britain, you might hear someone call them a "yob."

Here’s the funny part: There’s no Old English etymology involved. It’s just "boy" spelled backwards (a bit of Cockney slang trickery).

A very specific noun, but a valid one. A "pyx" is the container used in churches to hold consecrated bread.

The term comes from Latin pyxis, meaning "small box," which in turn derives from the Greek pyxos, a type of boxwood tree. Those three letters combined would earn you at least 15 points!

Have you ever seen the interior of a rock lined with dazzling, beautiful crystals? You might have been looking at a vug.

It’s a small cavity inside a rock that often exposes these pockets of hidden treasures, like quartz, amethyst, or more exotic gems. The word vug comes from the Cornish language, where vooga meant "cave" or "hollow."

Sure, playing "OK" is useful, but have you tried "Oka"? It’s a type of cheese from Canada, and also a historical unit of weight used in Turkey.

The cheese is named after the village of Oka in Quebec, where Trappist monks started making it in the late 19th century.

Gox might sound like the name of some sci-fi character. But it’s just a short abbreviation to refer to "gaseous oxygen."

"O₂" is the more common way to represent it, but "gox" is sometimes used by those in scientific and industrial contexts.

To be fair, you could pluralize any two-letter word by adding an S. "Xis" (the plural of the 14th Greek letter Ξ ξ) is no exception.

Just so you know, "xi" is not the translation of our "X," as you might think. What we call an "X," the Greek would call a "chi."

"Ait" is mostly used in Britain to describe little landmasses that pop up in waterways, like those dotting the Thames.

The word (sometimes spelled eyot) comes from Old English iegoth, meaning "small island." Though it’s not common in everyday speech, you’ll still find it in place names and historical writings.

Before they fully mature, newts crawl on land: this is when we call them efts. These tiny, bright-colored amphibians can be found around damp forests, looking like pocket-sized dragons.

The word eft has been around for centuries, coming from Old English efeta, which evolved to ewt, and ultimately to newt.

The gnu (pronounced "new" or "guh-noo") is better known as the wildebeest, that sturdy African antelope famous for its dramatic migrations across the Serengeti.

The word gnu comes from the Khoisan languages of southern Africa and was first recorded by European explorers in the 18th century. The alternative name wildebeest is the Dutch word for "wild beast," of course.

"Nix" means to reject, cancel, or put an end to something. The word comes from the German nichts, meaning "nothing."

It entered American English in the 19th century, likely through German immigrants. Over time, it became a snappy, no-nonsense way to say "no."

An "ulu" is a traditional Inuit knife with a characteristic curved blade, perfect for chopping, skinning, or even cutting a child's hair (yes, really).

The name comes from the Inuktitut word ᐅᓗ (ulu), which roughly translates to "woman’s knife"

because it was traditionally used by Inuit women for household and hunting tasks.