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The Brooklyn Follies

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( 31,901 ratings, 2,478 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster is a captivating tale about Nathan Glass, a retired insurance salesman who moves to Brooklyn to escape his past and write what he calls "The Book of Human Folly." As he reconnects with his nephew, Tom, and meets a host of intriguing characters, Nathan finds unexpected purpose and kinship. Set against a vibrant Brooklyn backdrop, the story is a poignant exploration of redemption, family, and the complexities of life.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to stories about second chances and unexpected friendships. A former life insurance salesman seeking solace finds himself entangled in the vibrant and complex lives of others, exploring the intricacies of human interactions in Brooklyn. The narrative offers a rich tapestry of humour and heart, making it appealing for those who appreciate poignant and layered storytelling.

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Infused with character, mystery and humour, these lives intertwine and become bound together as Auster brilliantly explores the wider terrain of contemporary America - a crucible of broken dreams and of human folly.

Auster's tale of family dynamics past and present from the author of contemporary classic The New York Trilogy: 'a literary voice for the ages' (Guardian)

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

I was looking for a quiet place to die. Someone recommended Brooklyn, and so the next morning I travelled down there from Westchester to scope out the terrain.

So begins Paul Auster's remarkable novel, The Brooklyn Follies. Set against the backdrop of the contested US election of 2000, it tells the story of Nathan and Tom, an uncle and nephew double-act. One is in remission from lung cancer, divorced, and estranged from his only daughter; the other is hiding away from his once-promising academic career, and indeed, from life in general.

Having accidentally ended up in the same Brooklyn neighbourhood, they discover a community teeming with life and passion. When Lucy, a little girl who refuses to speak, comes into their lives, there is suddenly a bridge from their pasts that offers them the possibility of redemption.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster is generally praised for its engaging narration and the exploration of themes such as redemption and unexpected familial bonds. Reviewers often highlight the book's warmth and humour, which come through in Auster's depiction of unlikely friendships formed in the backdrop of Brooklyn. Readers appreciate the way the novel melds wit with insightful reflections on life, capturing both its absurdity and poignancy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571276646

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 June 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 252g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Paul Auster is the best-selling author of Invisible, Man in the Dark, The Brooklyn Follies, The Book of Illusions, The New York Trilogy, among many other works. In 2006 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for Literature and inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has also been short-listed for both the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (The Book of Illusions) and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (The Music of Chance). His work has been translated into more than thirty languages.

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