Brooklyn Follies

By: Paul Auster

Narrated by: Paul Auster

From the bestselling author of Oracle Night and The Book of Illusions, an exhilarating, whirlwind tale of one man’s accidental redemption

Nathan Glass has come to Brooklyn to die. Divorced, retired, estranged from his only daughter, the former life insurance salesman seeks only solitude and anonymity. Then Glass encounters his long-lost nephew, Tom Wood, who is working in a local bookstore--a far cry from the brilliant academic career he’d begun when Nathan saw him last. Tom’s boss is the colorful and charismatic Harry Brightman--aka Harry Dunkel--once the owner of a Chicago art gallery, whom fate has also brought to the “ancient kingdom of Brooklyn, New York.” Through Tom and Harry, Nathan’s world gradually broadens to include a new set of acquaintances--not to mention a stray relative or two--and leads him to a reckoning with his past.

With The Brooklyn Follies, the always astonishing Paul Auster has written what is undoubtedly his warmest, most exuberant novel, a moving, unforgettable hymn to the glories and mysteries of ordinary human life.

©2005 Paul Auster; (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Redemption

I heard the voice of Nathan Glass as Paul Auster read his own words. Cannot imagine a more perfect tone. Pre 9/11 Brooklyn and indeed the USA is captured by Mr. Auster as he finds redemption from a life looking at his own naval. There is life and there is living. Nathan Glass lived but soon after moving to Brooklyn and reuniting with his beloved nephew he starts living again and listening to this story we rejoice in his great good fortune. There is a wild mix of characters well described and rounded out. We meet several real scoundrals, some strong women and a smart and sometimes smart ass little girl named Lucy who gives everyone a second chance. If you are looking for wild action and mystery this book is not for you. If you are anywhere right of moderate the politics in the book will turn you off. Nathan and crew are decidedly Democrat. However, if you are in the mood for a book in which things turn out all right this is for you. 9/11 happens just as the book ends. Good job Mr. Auster. Write more.

Awesome listen!!!

I listen to books while walking; this morning I walked an extra mile, just to hang in with uncle Nate until his last words had been spoken.

Loved this

I’ve enjoyed other books by Paul Auster and this is the first one I’ve listened to. He wraps a captivating story into a bigger message about life. Thoroughly enjoyed it and was sad to finish.

Uneven but worth listening to

I will start off by saying I am a huge Auster fan. This book has quite a few highs but also be prepared for just some out of left field randomness. The ending is a bit meh but I still would recommend reading this.

a beautiful week

I have long loved Auster's books, but now I know that I have to listen to them, not just read them. I agree that 5 stars are not enough -- it has been completely satisfying listening to this wonderful book. The pacing provided frequent, unpredictable surprises. The reflections of Nathan on everything around and inside him are fresh, certainly not detached, and they moved me frequently. I was uneasy sometimes about everything moving to too many happy endings, but the unease was unwarranted. I'll certainly listen to this one more than once.