Report from the interior, by Paul Auster

It was Auster’s stated intention to describe the “human condition”, the state of everyman, as small and young humans in this book. But, Auster is “an exceptional object of study” – despite what he thinks of himself. He, more than many other writers, is justified to write a straightforward autobiography. His mind is, like William Shakespeare wrote in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, such a “seething brain, such shaping fantasies that apprehend more than cool reason ever comprehends.” By choosing such a difficult writing style for this book, he has placed barriers to understanding and empathy between him and readers. On the other hand – that’s Auster for you – always a challenge. (Continue reading…)