Reviews

The Brooklyn Follies, by Paul Auster

frahorus's review against another edition

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3.0

Prima opera che leggo di Auster. In questo romanzo l'autore ci narra la storia di Nathan Glass, che torna a Brooklyn dopo cinquantasei anni di assenza dalla zona di New York in cui i suoi genitori lo avevano cresciuto prima di trasferirsi altrove. Si sta riprendendo da un cancro ai polmoni ed è alla ricerca di "un posto tranquillo per morire". È in pensione, ha divorziato dalla moglie Edith e fatica a mantenere una buona relazione con la figlia Rachel. Vince la sua battaglia con il cancro e decide di annotare, per un libro da pubblicare in futuro, momenti, impressioni, eventi, storie ed incontri delle sue giornate a Brooklyn. Il titolo provvisorio è "The Book of Human Folly". Il progetto si sviluppa mentre Nathan, inizialmente privo di stimoli e quasi arresosi all'eventualità della morte, incontra Tom Wood, l'amato nipote con cui ritrova una gradevole consuetudine di confidenza. Lo seguirà nella sua passione per i libri e nelle sue difficoltà a costruirsi una carriera d'insegnante come sarebbe stato suo desiderio. Affronterà con lui le incertezze dell'esistenza.

mitchbaron's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

miss_menno's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bassant's review against another edition

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slow-paced

2.0

aiina14's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

manadabomb's review against another edition

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4.0

My first introduction to Auster's work is a good one. He has a wonderful way of writing and created a "story of survival" that might even make a cynic think that things can get better.

Follies is set around the time of Bush stealing his election and 9/11. But thankfully, not a lot of time is spent on national events. The majority of time is spent getting to know Nathan Glass, a 60ish year old man who comes to Brooklyn to find a quiet place to die. Recently divorced and a survivor of lung cancer, he's all but given up on himself. Enter Tom Wood, his nephew who he had lost touch with for years. Tom lives in Brooklyn as well and is in the same boat as his uncle, unhappy, feeling without redemption and unable to move forward.

Family is key to this novel, not just blood relatives but the strangers-turned-friends kind of family. Everyone is trying to survive and banding together, the motley crue in Follies does just that.

psypunk_jm's review against another edition

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4.0

This is one of the best of Auster.

cilie's review against another edition

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Mindre tekniske irritationsmomenter i lyden, men i det store og hele fangede fortællingen mig bare slet ikke. 24% inde havde det meste været sidespring til alle mulige forskellige menneskers baggrundshistorier. Det samler sig måske til sidst, men det er bare ikke mig. 2023.03.20

shrossi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

earlysunsetsxx's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75