Oracle Night by Paul Auster - 4 stars

[Marina]

What can you say after you've finished reading a book by Paul Auster? This is the third I read by him, and it might even be the most puzzling. To come back to my question: there's nothing to say, there's so much to say.

Nothing to say because you just gape at the wall and say "Wow, such a wonderful book!". But at the same time there's so much to say because Auster's books are so rich you could write a paper on them, and a lengthy one at that.

I won't go analyzing this novel, I'm not the right person to do that. I'll just say that there is a book within a book within a book. Therefore, a story within a story within a story, but then the stories are not only three, there's more than that. Those three are the matrioschkas, then there are parallel stories within the main story. There are footnotes, not tons of them, but still. Everyone who knows me is aware that I hate footnotes in novels. Everyone knows I hate such writers as David Foster Wallace. Though at the same time, some of you might know I loved House of Leaves. And this novel by Auster had me thinking of both the novel by Danielewski and the ones by DFW. Both authors draw heavily from Paul Auster, I think.

The stories are all very intriguing - I must say, though, that I was more drawn towards the story within the main story, that is, the story written by the protagonist, Sidney Orr, and that has Nick Bowen as the main character. That one was superb. That's probably one of the reasons why Auster leaves it unfinished. Anyway, all the stories were great, main one included. And the writing. What can I say about the writing? Other than that it's wonderful? No, I really can't say any more than that.

Do not read this novel if you don't like postmodernism. If you do, what are you waiting for? Go for it - now!

[Anita]

Fascinating review. I'm not sure what to think as I hated House of Leaves, but am also not a fan of DFW (though I see why he is considered brilliant). Of the books that you have read by Auster, is this the best starting point in your opinion, or is there another you preferred?

[Marina]

Glad you liked my review, Anita :)

If you didn't like House of Leaves and don't like David Foster Wallace, my guess is you don't like postmodernism. Therefore, chances are you wouldn't like Paul Auster, either.

However, of the three books I've read by him, my favorite was The New York Trilogy.

[Anita]

Marina wrote: "Glad you liked my review, Anita :)

If you didn't like House of Leaves and don't like David Foster Wallace, my guess is you don't like postmodernism. Therefore, chances a..."

Thank you for the heads up . . .I may still give him a try at some point just because, but at least I've been duly warned. I feel like expectations are so important to setting the stage for a book. If I expect to be wowed, that can turn out to be a problem. If I expect to dislike the book, my mind is so much more open.

I actually am not that familiar with the term "postmodernism" as it applies to literature. Off too look up more on that!!

[Marina]

You're totally right, Anita, expectations can be an issue sometimes - if you expect to be impressed, chances are that you'll be let down if the book is less than awesome. My experience is, the less expectations I have, the more likely it is that I'll like the book.