Moon Palace (Contemporary American Fiction)

Auster is a master at depicting the lowest level of the human condition. He does so here again, as he did in his non-fiction book, "Hand to Mouth." Auster understands penury and desolation as only those who have been there do. This understanding is truly because he has been there himself; and speaks from personal experience.The book is one of redemption. Can one who has sunk to the level of sleeping on the ground in Central Park and eating other people's garbage lift themselves back up to a normal or even successful life? The answer to the question is illustrated by Auster along with his other grand theme of "Coincidence."Auster actually exaggerates coincidence in his book, when he connects 3 characters through accidents of birth. All three of them are blood relatives and none of them knew this fact. All three of them found each other purely through coincidental means. For this to happen randomly is so improbably it would be ridiculous to try to calculate it. But Auster makes it seem almost a natural event, one that had to occur with surety.Ultimately, Auster leaves us in a place that is not perfect, much more realistic, and not horrible. It is a place more or less familiar to us. It is a place more or less like real life. The book is Auster in a great expository period and it is recommended to ALL readers.

...but many readers like that kind of thing.I hate giving less than 5 stars because I have so much love and respect for successful writers like this one.For me, though, the main character in this story is a very imaginative, confused and a depressed loser and his problems, while quite colorful, do not add up to a tale I can care about.Onward. The choices for great books yet to be read seems boundless...

Marco Fogg’s young life is steeped in tragedy and loss. His beginnings are fraught with misfortune and unlikely survival. His destiny seems directed by circumstance and coincidence as three generations meld with the present. Auster is a master storyteller, taking us on a spellbinding adventure as Marco pieces together his past so that he can ultimately see the possibility of a future.

I am only halfway through, but unless the main character/narrator ends up going on a killing spree I don't' see changing my opinion. I will write more when done, but I just wanted to put down some initial impressions. The narrator is someone with whom I feel kinship. His experiences and how he interacts with the world reminds me very much of a young, college-age SW Coyote.

Another great one by Paul.

Auster is seamless in his weaving together of "coincidents" so subtly that when the final product is revealed it's like walking onto a bright and wonderful landscape after emerging from a tunnel. Fascinating read.

el tema es buenola impresión es claralo recomendaré a quien me diga que le gusta el temael precio está razonable

Paul Auster's seminal masterpiece.

First book I have read by this author. It was quite enjoyable but not amazingly. The plot was too contrived.

big fan of Paul Auster, after a friend introduced me to his novels a few years ago. Love his writing, it draws you in and its a rollercoaster ride of ideas and story. Thoroughly enjoyed!

I've read the NY-trilogy, Leviathan, Mr. Vertigo, the Red Notebook and Moon Palace by Auster.Moon Palace is so far my favourite of Austers novels. The NY trilogy is very distinct from his other novels (at least the ones I've read), so don't expect the same kind of thrill from reading Moon Palace as you get in the trilogy. But do expect to be deeply touched...I did. You really come to love the story and its characters. So if you don't know which Auster book to read, choose Moon Palace.

I can't put my finger on it, but the combination of writing style and subtle yet intense multi-layered tale make it my favourite book of all time.

good book. Thanks.