Brian Rom

What a mishmash of just about every trope of a writer trying to be ‘profound’ (riffs on Montaigne, Don Quixote, and other assorted ‘major’ works), ‘mysterious” (switching views and multiple realities without plausible rhyme or reason, like Stillman’s twin, the coincidence with the girl at the station reading his book and then living in his apartment, to no relevant, point), and cheaply dispensing with the required elements of reality (Quinn doesn’t even get a credit card for when he goes native in the dumpster, doesn’t see a newspaper in a place where the trash is thrown, ignores other options to save the kid whom he swears is his main concern). If he’s so successful how do you suddenly find a way to justify he has less that $400 in the bank, what’s he thinking when he disappears for months and is surprised being evicted. What about his royalties? Author conveniently has the checks delivered by mail - surely direct deposit. Then he needs a couple hours to visit get to the bank. etc., etc, etc. This is not just a matter of saying ‘oh, but you miss this point-this is a story about perceptions of realities and you need some more ‘imagination’ to understand how brilliantly subtle he is! Sorry, but the only brilliant thing here is Auster’s ability to boondoggle the critics who can’t see the emperor has no clothes!