I just started Tom Lake today; I didn't even notice that the word "Covid" hasn't been used. I guess the situation of everyone coming home and doing class online, etc. in 2020 filled that in for me without actually being there. Interesting choice, now that you point it out. I'm loving it so far.
4:15. I watched your enthusiastic review on 4 3 2 1 some two weeks ago (before starting reading the novel) and further positive reviews on YT as well made me order a copy of the book. (I'm Greek, so I ordered the Greek translation). I was very curious indeed to read the "shoes story" that you have, let's say, misgivings about it, although I had no idea where and when this story occurs in this long novel. Well, I came so far already that I've just read this story; I finished the chapter (2.4) just half an hour ago. Therefore, I wanted to post this comment in order to say that the purpose of this story is, in my opinion at least, very well explained through the chapter indeed, isn't it? The young writer wanted to comment on different topics such as a) slavery, b) concentration camps and European Jews during WWII, c) friendship, d) different attitudes of the reading public towards a work of fiction and how a writer should be very aware of this reality. Are these explanations not enough to justify the existence of this story? In your mention of this "shoe story" you say that you felt it was «unnecessary» and I have to admit that I felt the same with you after having read only the story itself. But as I continued reading, everything was revealed in such a manner that I said to myself "well done Paul Auster; very deep and insightful remarks". Didn't these further pages convince you about the function and importance of the story, which lasts until the very end of the chapter? However, our different approaches to this story is one of the points of this narration (the different attitudes towards a work of fiction). Isn't that interesting? Although I am going to begin just the third cycle, the only thing that I personally find a little bit "unnecessary" in the novel are some (not all!) of these baseball scenes and all these names of baseball players etc. No one in Europe can follow what's going on. That would be my only reservation until now, but definitely not the "shoe story". I would love to hear your opinion about. Greetings!
I've never followed the Booker before, and when the longlist was announced I was excited, but none of the novels' descriptions grabbed me, so I've been using your reviews to see which ones to check out. It's a shame they're all average so far. Glad you had fun reading these though! Where should I start if I want to get into Paul Auster?
I had study the New York Trilogy briefly in my first year at university. I’d be interested to see how I feel about it now compared to then as I think it flew over my younger head. If you fancy a read away from the Booker long list, I’ve found Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel or Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan have been my favourite reads this year.
You do get a full picture of Jack between Home and Jack. I haven't read Gilead or Lila yet, but I want to. I think I may read Gilead with my book club next year.
At the start of the pandemic, publishers (in the UK anyway) were a bit weird about mentioning Covid in novels. I think they thought people would only read to escape the reality of it and so authors were setting them in 2019 or earlier. My book was set in the present and I was asked to remove any references to covid. Maybe this is what happened with Ann Patchet's book.
I agree. Paul Auster is my favourite author, read them all, and 4321 is his masterpiece.
4321 is a superb novel and my favourite Paul Auster book
I love long books. Adding 4321 to my list - thanks!
I just started Tom Lake today; I didn't even notice that the word "Covid" hasn't been used. I guess the situation of everyone coming home and doing class online, etc. in 2020 filled that in for me without actually being there. Interesting choice, now that you point it out. I'm loving it so far.
4:15. I watched your enthusiastic review on 4 3 2 1 some two weeks ago (before starting reading the novel) and further positive reviews on YT as well made me order a copy of the book. (I'm Greek, so I ordered the Greek translation). I was very curious indeed to read the "shoes story" that you have, let's say, misgivings about it, although I had no idea where and when this story occurs in this long novel. Well, I came so far already that I've just read this story; I finished the chapter (2.4) just half an hour ago. Therefore, I wanted to post this comment in order to say that the purpose of this story is, in my opinion at least, very well explained through the chapter indeed, isn't it? The young writer wanted to comment on different topics such as a) slavery, b) concentration camps and European Jews during WWII, c) friendship, d) different attitudes of the reading public towards a work of fiction and how a writer should be very aware of this reality. Are these explanations not enough to justify the existence of this story? In your mention of this "shoe story" you say that you felt it was «unnecessary» and I have to admit that I felt the same with you after having read only the story itself. But as I continued reading, everything was revealed in such a manner that I said to myself "well done Paul Auster; very deep and insightful remarks". Didn't these further pages convince you about the function and importance of the story, which lasts until the very end of the chapter? However, our different approaches to this story is one of the points of this narration (the different attitudes towards a work of fiction). Isn't that interesting? Although I am going to begin just the third cycle, the only thing that I personally find a little bit "unnecessary" in the novel are some (not all!) of these baseball scenes and all these names of baseball players etc. No one in Europe can follow what's going on. That would be my only reservation until now, but definitely not the "shoe story". I would love to hear your opinion about. Greetings!
I've never followed the Booker before, and when the longlist was announced I was excited, but none of the novels' descriptions grabbed me, so I've been using your reviews to see which ones to check out. It's a shame they're all average so far.
Glad you had fun reading these though! Where should I start if I want to get into Paul Auster?
My first was New York Trilogy, and it made big impact on me. But I think Music of Chance and The Book of Illusions are better starting points.
@@rororeadsThanks! I'll be sure to check those out!
I had study the New York Trilogy briefly in my first year at university. I’d be interested to see how I feel about it now compared to then as I think it flew over my younger head.
If you fancy a read away from the Booker long list, I’ve found Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel or Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan have been my favourite reads this year.
You do get a full picture of Jack between Home and Jack. I haven't read Gilead or Lila yet, but I want to. I think I may read Gilead with my book club next year.
I read 4321 a long time ago, but I really enjoyed as well
I remember looking 4 3 2 1 when I read it but it's never stayed with me and is struggle to remember much
At the start of the pandemic, publishers (in the UK anyway) were a bit weird about mentioning Covid in novels. I think they thought people would only read to escape the reality of it and so authors were setting them in 2019 or earlier. My book was set in the present and I was asked to remove any references to covid. Maybe this is what happened with Ann Patchet's book.
That’s interesting. Quite possibly that’s what happened.
B-Birnam C-C-Copperhead???
It’s a B-Birnam C-C-Copperhead for old Pauley boy