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A review by hillarycopsey
Bloodbath Nation by Paul Auster
4.0
Auster isn't breaking new ground, a fact he knows and mostly does a good job of pointing out by mentioning the work of others. But in a handful of compelling essays, paired with photos of mass-shooting sites and the casualty stats, Auster forces readers to look at a broad picture of gun violence in America. He also does a good job of laying out the places the majority of Americans agree on gun control.
Unfortunately, the title of the book will turn away most people who own guns and believe in their right to own guns. Additionally, in the first sentence of the first essay, Auster shares that he's never owned a gun, a fact that most gun owners I know -- ie most of my family -- will believe disqualifies him from having an opinion about gun control. This marketing/editing of the book does a major disservice to Auster's work as it will prevent him from bridging the divide over guns, which seems to be at least partially his aim in some of these essays.
Unfortunately, the title of the book will turn away most people who own guns and believe in their right to own guns. Additionally, in the first sentence of the first essay, Auster shares that he's never owned a gun, a fact that most gun owners I know -- ie most of my family -- will believe disqualifies him from having an opinion about gun control. This marketing/editing of the book does a major disservice to Auster's work as it will prevent him from bridging the divide over guns, which seems to be at least partially his aim in some of these essays.