Paul Auster is a well-known American author. We know this!

I have read none of his books. I have often wondered what the thoughts of famous authors are. What do they think? How do they feel about their books? How do they deal with labels, and with critics?

Professor Siegumfeldt is an associate professor of English, Germanic, and Romance studies at the University of Copenhagen.
She behind the university’s upcoming Paul Auster centre.

When I read about this, I thought it may be a good idea to read a book that comprises interviews with Mr Auster.

Getting into the mind of a person like Paul Auster may be a creative way in getting a basic understanding of his writings, before I read them.

She has divided the book into two broad sections.
The first comprises interviews around his autobiographical work.
The second consists or interviews revolving around his novels.

She starts each interview with a quote from the book she is interviewing about. I like this, because it gave me a flavour of his writing.

For instance, a gem from The Leviathan.

“No one can say where a book comes from, least of all the person who writes it.”
In his conversation with Prof Siegumfeldt on Sunset Park, he says:

“The music of each book is different from the music of every other book.”
A skilled interviewer draws out the best in the interviewee. I.B. Siegumfeldt has done an excellent job.
I enjoyed her conversations with Paul Auster.

Her familiarity with his work helps.

She poses questions and then allows Paul Auster to talk. She teased out a few interesting points, like his distaste for labels. Labels are the preserve of critics and the public. They serve as a useful hook on which to hang your clothes, but they can also obscure your understanding of a subject.
Paul Auster seems to draw inspiration from the events of his life, his family, political events and society at large. He has firm views, even though he expresses them with restraint and grace.

The book has piqued my curiosity about Paul Auster and his work. I will go further. The book has made me decide on reading some of his books. It has helped me pick the ones I want to start with.

This is an excellent book, especially if you have read none of his work; and are wondering where to start. ( )