A night with Paul Auster and Javier Marías

Paul Auster has a seductive presence. With his silvering hair and raspy voice, he reads with poise and patience. At New York's 92nd Street Y last week, he read a passage from his latest novel, "Invisible", in which the protagonist reflects on his intimacy with his sister. His thoughts begin innocently enough, with tales of playing doctor and jumping naked on the bed. But they are soon catapulted into the realm of taboo, as childhood playfulness takes unexpected erotic turns. Auster stood...