Baumgartner by Paul Auster - 4 stars (BWF)

[Joy D]

Baumgartner by Paul Auster - 4* - My Review

Sy Baumgartner is a seventy-one-year-old novelist and philosophy professor living in New Jersey. He is still mourning the death of his wife, Anna, during a swimming incident ten years ago. This is an introspective novel with Baumgartner looking back on his past. We learn how he and Anna met and fell in love, and the ups and downs of their forty years together. She had always written poetry but never considered herself a poet. He lovingly compiles her poems into a volume which he managed to get published posthumously. Baumgartner contemplates how to proceed through the grieving process and what he wants to do with his remaining healthy years. This book is a philosophical ode to aging. It is for those who enjoy character studies. This was Paul Auster’s final work before his death. He leaves us with a positive message that emphasizes finding ways to continue to live a fulfilling life into one’s twilight years.

PBT November BWF Extra A - fits letter not tag

[Holly R W]

Lovely review, Joy! I thought the book was beautifully written. It is a fitting last work for the author. I cannot help but think that some of it may be autobiographical.