Book of Illusions

As every book by Auster, this is a strange one. I can safely say I have never read anything like it before (even the other Auster books), and I'm not sure if I can even classify it.

It is a story of repentance and absolution on several levels, and I'm afraid that's about the only thing I can tell. I know that I liked it and that bits of it came back to me for several weeks after finishing it. Other than that, though, I'm utterly empty: I have no idea what it is that fascinates about it, or even why it fascinates. Because of that, I recommend it to everyone.

Coincidentally, I bought it to read on a long flight, but it soon became apparent that this is not a book you can easily read on a plane. You'll know why when you start it.

This book strikes an interesting balance between convention and surprise. There is nothing exceptional about it, but there are moments of quiet brilliance that will strike you in the midst of its somewhat stock narrative.