Feb/ Mar 2016 Group Read - The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster

[Bill]

This is the thread for discussing The New York Trilogy by American writer, Paul Auster. The book was originally published sequentially in 1985/86 but has since been combined into one volume. Aakriti will be the moderator of this thread. Enjoy!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've already got my copy out, ready to read. I absolutely love this book.

[Walt]

I must have read this when it first came out and have only a genetal memory. Sometimes he's terrific, sometimes, surrealistically obscure. I believe he's married to Siri Hustvedt. Same for her (good/obscure),,

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Walt wrote: "I must have read this when it first came out and have only a genetal memory. Sometimes he's terrific, sometimes, surrealistically obscure. I believe he's married to Siri Hustvedt. Same for her (goo..."

He's difficult to read sometimes, for sure. But the payoff is so worth it.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Here's a question: is anyone planning to read this book?

[Suzy]

Nancy wrote: "Here's a question: is anyone planning to read this book?"

I'm not planning on reading either selection this month. Too many other books on my tbr that look a little more interesting.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Suzy wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Here's a question: is anyone planning to read this book?"

I'm not planning on reading either selection this month. Too many other books on my tbr that look a little more interesting."

Thanks, Suzy. I should have asked if anyone who voted for this book is planning to read it.

[Bill]

You would hope so as it was the top vote getter..

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "You would hope so as it was the top vote getter.."

One would certainly think so.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've already launched big time into this book, and if the people who voted for it aren't even going to respond to my question, I'm done. As a moderator, a reader, and a person who believes in fair play and courtesy, if no one is reading this book, I think it is absolutely not fair to the people who voted for the third place book, The Alphabet House, which would have come in second if not for all of the votes for this one.

[Bill]

My fault if nobody ends up reading this. Mind you, it's still relatively early days, Nancy. I never really got a response from Aakriti, who nominated the book, to say he would be willing to moderate. If that turns out to be the case, I should have moved to next in the list. A lesson learned for me, unfortunately. Anyway, let's see what happens.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "My fault if nobody ends up reading this. Mind you, it's still relatively early days, Nancy. I never really got a response from Aakriti, who nominated the book, to say he would be willing to moderat..."

I sincerely don't believe that it's your fault at all. Don't feel that way!! People know that if their book wins, they will be the moderator. It's been that way for a long time.

[Denise]

Bill wrote: "My fault if nobody ends up reading this. Mind you, it's still relatively early days, Nancy. I never really got a response from Aakriti, who nominated the book, to say he would be willing to moderat..."

How can it be your fault? 26 or so people voted for it. It is early days. A lot of people don't check goodreads until the weekend.

The only thing that may be a problem, as someone relatively new to goodreads, I didn't know if you nominated a book you had to be the moderator but that doesn't excuse the 26 people.

Gisela said she had started the book on the original thread and maybe a couple of other people did as well.

(I didn't vote for it because it is 3 books and don't have time this month.)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Denise wrote: "Bill wrote: "My fault if nobody ends up reading this. Mind you, it's still relatively early days, Nancy. I never really got a response from Aakriti, who nominated the book, to say he would be willi..."

I didn't vote for it at all but I assumed when it won as first choice there would be more than one person (me) or two (add Gisela) reading it. I'll wait and see what happens over the weekend.

[Michelle]

@ Nancy The New York Trilogy does not appeal to me at all. Since I have already read Eeny Meeny I think I'll sit out this month's read. Hopefully those that voted for the book will start posting comments soon.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Michelle wrote: "@ Nancy The New York Trilogy does not appeal to me at all. Since I have already read Eeny Meeny I think I'll sit out this month's read. Hopefully those that voted for the book will start posting co..."

Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate your comment. I'm assuming you didn't vote for it, though, right?

[Michelle]

Nancy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "@ Nancy The New York Trilogy does not appeal to me at all. Since I have already read Eeny Meeny I think I'll sit out this month's read. Hopefully those that voted for the book will..."

No I did not. The book I voted for Famous in a Small Town only received 8 votes.

[Franky]

I didn't vote for it, but it does interest me and I am planning on reading. My copy should be coming soon.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

So that's three of us who didn't even vote for this book.

[Nicole]

I voted for the book and I just finished chapter 5. :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Nicole wrote: "I voted for the book and I just finished chapter 5. :)"

Very nice! Then I'll keep reading.

[Gisela]

Nancy wrote: "Denise wrote: "Bill wrote: "My fault if nobody ends up reading this. Mind you, it's still relatively early days, Nancy. I never really got a response from Aakriti, who nominated the book, to say he..."

Admit I haven't started reading it yet, but will. Too much going on work and children wise at the moment to find time. But definitely will discuss even if it takes a bit longer. Hadn't voted for it, but always wanted to read something by this author.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

No worries, Gisela. I've only heard from one person who actually voted for it. What I don't get is why so many people voted for it if they didn't actually plan on reading it. It only hurts other group members who wanted to read one of the other selections on the poll. Frankly, that's just not right.

[Gisela]

Nancy wrote: "No worries, Gisela. I've only heard from one person who actually voted for it. What I don't get is why so many people voted for it if they didn't actually plan on reading it. It only hurts other gr..."

Too true. Might be that Austen is a well-known name!

[Nick]

Am about to delve into it myself.

Have heard good things about it.

Can't believe I haven't read this author before.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Nick wrote: "Am about to delve into it myself.

Have heard good things about it.

Can't believe I haven't read this author before."

Humor me, Nick. Did you vote for this book in the poll?

[Denise]

You can tell who voted for this book by going to the polls and clicking on "26 votes" next to the book cover. If you already knew that, nevermind.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Thanks, Denise. I just really want to hear from people who post here.

[Nick]

Where is 'the poll' located?

I really don't remember if I voted for it or not. I don't think so.

Can someone look and say if I did?

Thanks.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Nick wrote: "Where is 'the poll' located?

I really don't remember if I voted for it or not. I don't think so.

Can someone look and say if I did?

Thanks."

It's not important, Nick. The few of us who are reading will just move along and keep reading until we're ready to talk about it.

[Nick]

Would be interested in hearing what others think about how the story is going.

I struggled to wade through the several pages that were devoted to the jibberish Peter Stillman said.

Anyone else?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Nick wrote: "Would be interested in hearing what others think about how the story is going.

I struggled to wade through the several pages that were devoted to the jibberish Peter Stillman said.

Anyone else?"

Actually, I thought that was very well done. You have to sort of parse it here and there, but it does make sense.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Nick wrote: "Would be interested in hearing what others think about how the story is going.

I struggled to wade through the several pages that were devoted to the jibberish Peter Stillman said.

Anyone else?"

The main thing to get in that entire section is that Stillman's father locked him up as a child, isolating him from others. So in Stillman's story, as nonsensical as it may seem, you can recognize what Auster's going to be doing here with this book. Identity, isolation, and language -- key concepts. It's not until a couple of chapters later that Quinn will figure out why Peter's dad did that when he reads Stillman's book. Maybe that will make things a little clearer.

[Franky]

Finally, got my copy and started...I'm about 30 or so pages in. Yeah, Peter's long monologue was tedious at first, but then, he repeats some ideas over and over again, and I sort of get it. At first, I wasn't sure what was going on. So, I am seeing where the idea of metafiction comes in with the writer pretending to be Auster and then the whole bizarre encounter with Peter Stillman...strange as it sounds, it sort of reminded me of some scene from a Murakami novel.

[Philippa]

Nick wrote: "Would be interested in hearing what others think about how the story is going.

I struggled to wade through the several pages that were devoted to the jibberish Peter Stillman said.

Anyone else?"

To be honest, I'm finding this very slow-going so far but plan to stick with it in the hope that I will eventually see why this was nominated. Not finding either characters or situation compelling as yet (although unusual, which is the factor keeping my interest at the moment...) Will comment when I have finished.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

To be very honest, I was surprised it was chosen.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Franky wrote: "Finally, got my copy and started...I'm about 30 or so pages in. Yeah, Peter's long monologue was tedious at first, but then, he repeats some ideas over and over again, and I sort of get it. At firs..."

Meta is right.

[Philippa]

Finished yesterday. One star review. I can see from the reviews that many people really love this book but it's not my sort of thing at all.

[Franky]

I finished the first story "City of Glass." Wow, it seemed like it was headed one place, only to end up somewhere else. I'll have to think on it for a little bit. I'm not sure what to make of it. Perhaps symbolism in the red journal and trying to track down and stop Stillman. Illusion vs reality? Anyhow, it is definitely different, that's for sure. Well, I'm starting Ghosts...

[Gisela]

My copy has just arrived at the library. Clearly a book which causes good discussion, so will try and get to it as soon as possible.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Franky wrote: "I finished the first story "City of Glass." Wow, it seemed like it was headed one place, only to end up somewhere else. I'll have to think on it for a little bit. I'm not sure what to make of it. P..."

Franky, starting one place and ending up in another is part and parcel of Auster's work throughout the book. He really does play with reader and narrative expectations here.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Gisela wrote: "My copy has just arrived at the library. Clearly a book which causes good discussion, so will try and get to it as soon as possible."

Read it slowly!

[Gisela]

Nancy wrote: "Gisela wrote: "My copy has just arrived at the library. Clearly a book which causes good discussion, so will try and get to it as soon as possible."

Read it slowly!"

Will have to. Extremely busy at the moment, so can only snatch half hours for reading. Might suit this book to give it time to sink in. I am quite intriqued now about this book. The last book which seems to get these sort of reaction was "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell, which I liked, but most of my book club friends could not get on with at all. Interesting.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Gisela wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Gisela wrote: "My copy has just arrived at the library. Clearly a book which causes good discussion, so will try and get to it as soon as possible."

Read it slowly!"

Will have to. E..."

This book isn't as difficult as others I've read. Tom McCarthy's novel called C was so hard it took me three times through it before any light bulbs went off over my head. Compared to that, Mitchell is easy.

[Franky]

A few things have held me back from making progress more quickly, but I finally finished the second tale, Ghosts, and am on to the third one. Something is oddly fascinating about these stories, and I like the meta-fiction, or meta-detective fiction element to the novels. So, I definitely see common links between City of Glass and Ghosts, in that protagonists sort of lose themselves in what they are seeking or looking for. Definitely an element of identity crisis. Many metaphors/symbols running through as well, and I’ll need to think on them a little more.

Just curious: has anyone read any other Auster novels? Just wondering if they are like this series, or are more standard detective/mysteries?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

There is absolutely nothing standard about Paul Auster's writings. I loved Ghosts.

[Franky]

Nancy wrote: "There is absolutely nothing standard about Paul Auster's writings. I loved Ghosts."

I did too. Sometimes I can't really put my finger on what it is, but I guess I like how the main character, in this case Blue, is forced to step outside of himself.

[Gisela]

Ok it took me a while, but I just realized that this book is group read for two Goodreads groups which I am part of, i.e. this one and the Boxall's 1001 books group. If you are interested there are some interesting discussions around the book there as well.

I've now finished the first two stories and I really like his writing style. In the first story, I enjoyed the reference to DonQuixote (although ironically as I child I used to hate this story, thinking it was creepy and frightening) and Quinn being a modern form of DonQuixote. I guess the case is a way of showing Quinn finally breaking down after 5 years, when through the death of his wife and child, he lost most of his identity and then lived on as a crime writer through his detective. Not really quite understand everything around all the characters in the case and will see if there is more in the way of an explanation in the other stories.

I've read the second story now and started the third. I liked the second and found it quite gripping. I am hoping the third one binds the book together, because for now it feels like more of a collection of short stories with a common theme, i.e. Don Quixote, madness, losing your identity. I thought Blue was an excellent character. The story reminded me a bit about Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain".

[Franky]

Gisela, that is an interesting take on Quinn as sort of Don Quixote. I totally see that. Very cool observation.

I just finished the book and will have to think on it for a bit, but I definitely enjoyed it. Very different, really is a cerebral, thought-provoking series here and very interesting. I did think there is a nice tie in "The Locked Room" with characters from the previous stories. I think my favorite of the group is "Ghosts", but "The Locked Room" does have similar themes where the man who is searching sort of becomes the person he is searching for.

[Gisela]

Ok, just finished the book and I still not sure if I liked it or not. Whilst I really like Austen's style of writing and his language, I really don't like this three story format. For me they are still only connected by, if I am right, central topic of identity, loss of identity and in the case of what Fenshaw seems to have done to all three of the other main character's theft of their identity. I really dislike Fenshaw and I don't understand the point of him. For me he is narcissistic and cruel, especially to Quinn (still my favourite character) and to the main character in the third story. In his narcissism he destroys not only at the end himself (or does he?) but Quinn, Blue and possible Ellen as well.

I don't enjoy short stories for exactly the reason why in the end I will only give this book 3stars. It leaves too many open questions, there is not enough background, it's annoying.

Not sure if I would read more from Paul Auster, would have to make sure it is not in the same format. But, he has got something, so a different format could be fantastic.