815. Moon Palace

Moon Palace
Paul Auster

1989
Around 320 pages

Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London didn't make the cut on this List, which is surprising. Yeah, it's a memoir, but I thought the List loved bending the rules of what makes a "novel" for white Englishmen. Oh well. Anyway, this novel reminded me heavily of that story, as both explore the question: is there artistic merit in living a life of destitution?

Marco Fogg is an orphan and his Uncle Victor his only caretaker. Fogg starts college, and nine months later moves from the dormitory into his own apartment furnished with 1492 books given to him by Uncle Victor. I wish I had an Uncle Victor. Unfortunately, he dies before Fogg finishes college and leaves him without friends and family. Marco inherits some money, becomes an introvert, spends his time reading, and thinks, "Why should I get a job?" Fogg eventually loses his apartment and seeks shelter in Central Park. He meets Kitty Wu and begins a romance with her after he has been rescued from Central Park by Kitty and his college friend Zimmer.

Paul Auster is a beautiful writer, and he does an excellent job making us care about a character that you mostly want to shake. I'm also predisposed to be sympathetic to any character who just wants to read and not pay any of their bills.

This felt like a huge step up from The New York trilogy in terms of breadth and theme. It's fascinating watching an author slowly master his craft.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Moon Palace was a popular Chinese restaurant for students when Auster was studying at Columbia.

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