Description
Paul Auster
Timbuktu
Published by Faber and Faber London in 1999
First Edition
186 Pages
Original Hard Binding with Dust Jacket
22 cm x 14 cm
Paul Auster (1947–2024) was an American writer, director, and translator known for his postmodern and metafictional storytelling. He gained international recognition with The New York Trilogy (1985–1986), a set of unconventional detective novels exploring identity, coincidence, and existential themes. Auster’s works often blend realism with philosophical inquiry, as seen in Moon Palace (1989) and The Brooklyn Follies (2005). He also wrote screenplays and directed films such as Lulu on the Bridge (1998). His memoirs, including Winter Journal (2012), offer introspective accounts of his life. Regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary American literature, Auster’s writing is characterized by sparse prose, intricate narratives, and an exploration of fate and human connection.
About the book: Timbuktu is a poignant novella told from the perspective of Mr. Bones, a stray dog who was the devoted companion of Willy G. Christmas, a homeless and mentally unstable poet. As Willy nears the end of his life, Mr. Bones must navigate the world on his own, searching for a new home while reflecting on his bond with his late owner. The novel explores themes of loyalty, loss, and the human condition through the unique lens of a dog’s consciousness. Auster’s prose is both lyrical and melancholic, offering a meditation on love, survival, and the fragile nature of existence. Timbuktu stands out in Auster’s body of work for its emotional depth and unconventional storytelling, making it a touching and thought-provoking read.