Synopsis
Baumgartner's life has been defined by his deep, abiding love for his wife, Anna. But now Anna is gone, and Baumgartner is embarking on his seventies whilst trying to live with her absence.
Rich with compassion, wit and Auster's keen eye for beauty in the smallest, most transient episodes of ordinary life, Baumgartner is a tender late masterpiece of the ache of memory. It asks: why do we find such meaning in certain moments, and forget others?
Publisher information
- Publisher: Faber & Faber
- ISBN: 9780571384938
- Number of pages: 208
- Dimensions: 216 x 135 x 14 mm
- Weight: 320g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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An Affecting Tale
At what point in life do you find yourself looking back at what has been more often than you look forward to what is to come? In truth, I believe I may hav... READ MORE
Tender memories
Baumgartner by Paul Auster
Sy Baumgartner is an aging Princeton Professor, reflecting on his potentially declining memory, physical wellbeing and profes... READ MORE
Touching
A touching story, initially reminiscing of two lives in love then after, one life in loss, when time feels to slow down. Well written and easily read, the ... READ MORE
Psychologically precise prose
The previous Paul Auster novel I read was the eventually 2017 Booker shortlisted 4321 – which I had read on a 12-hour plane flight, five months prior to th... READ MORE
enjoyable writing
Although I've heard of Paul Auster, I've never read any of his books, and, if this one is typical of his writing, I obviously need to remedy this. I am nor... READ MORE
Auster's writing style as always superb, and so emotive.
Many thanks to the publisher for an early copy of this excellent book to read and review. This is the story of Sy Baumgartner, philosophy professor and aut... READ MORE
Short, sharp - memorable.
A wonderful book. I thoroughly loved this short, thoughtful, humorous and tremendously entertaining to boot narrative. In the first chapter we are introdu... READ MORE
Brilliant and Frustrating
I'm torn about this book. I loved it, right up until the very end. It reminded me of Anne Tyler's work when she is at her best, focussing as it does on som... READ MORE
An enjoyable book.
Paul Auster once again delivers an interesting read with Baumgartner. Having previously read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Moon Palace I was looking forward to ... READ MORE
‘A reflective, philosophical read which ultimately ends with hope.’
Having read a few Auster novels before, I was looking forward to this latest one, particularly given the subject matter, as I enjoy reflective, character-f... READ MORE
Grief encapsulated
A beautifully loving and heartbreaking novella which encapsulated the inner turmoil and processing of some seemingly buried emotions experienced by the won... READ MORE
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