Reviews

The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster

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katykelly's review against another edition

3.0

I really wanted to like this more. It's clever, twisty, intelligent but maybe a little TOO intelligent.
Three interconnected detective stories, set in New York. For me though, each was about a rather unlikeable man, who made some silly choices (that he didn't have to) that then affected his life and relationships.
And it's all grim, gritty and depressing too.

It's well written though. I was impressed with the voice of the younger Peter Stillman in 'City of Glass', a moving tale told in an impressively realistic voice.

The book was recommended to me and while I'm glad I got through it, it was a bit of a slog, it's not easy (the second tale almost made me give up, with characters called White, Blue, Black etc but it didn't end up confusing me.

Not one for someone who's after a cheery or light read. It's deep, depressing and dark but it is clever. Make of it what you will.

andrea_hr's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hunziker's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

diogoexmarques's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

vicaleggecose's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

robfarren's review against another edition

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2.0

People seem to think this is my kind of thing--why is that? By the third one, I couldn't even get through it anymore and had to quit. It was a bit too meta and postmodern for me.