The New York Trilogy

The New York Trilogy cover
Good Books rating 4.42
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Technical
  • ID: 8882
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780571246120
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2008-09-04
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

The New York Trilogy is a contemporary classic that expands the boundaries of the noir detective novel. Paul Auster's work is celebrated for its intelligence and originality, offering a profound existentialist enquiry in the tradition of Kafka or Borges. Each story in the trilogy follows a detective's search for clues, leading to remarkable coincidences and a deep investigation into what it means to be human. The interconnected novels are praised for their modern take on the genre, shocking and astounding readers with their complexity and depth. /n/n The trilogy is noted for its exceptional prose and clever construction, with critics hailing Auster as one of the great American prose stylists of our time. The New York Trilogy marks a significant departure in the American novel, offering a unique blend of mystery and philosophical exploration. The writing is described as acid-sharp, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's mind, and the stories are utterly gripping from start to finish.

Reviews
sfbook.com · 2025-12-22
thoughtful 4.00

The writing is accessible and engaging, though the complex narratives demand careful attention. The stories are thought-provoking but challenging due to their intricate layers.

The reviewer highlights the high quality of the writing, noting that the prose is both engaging and easy to follow. However, they also point out that the stories are complex and require a significant investment of time and mental effort. The reviewer appreciates the depth and originality of the narratives, but acknowledges that the intricate layers and postmodern elements can be challenging for some readers. Overall, they find the trilogy to be a rewarding but demanding read.


Quick quotes

    The stories are extremely well written and the words themself are fairly easily read and understood

    the hard part of these stories, is that they forces you to think

    The stories are thought-provoking but challenging due to their intricate layers

theguardian.com · 2025-04-07
timeless 4.75

The trilogy is described as a cinematic masterpiece, with a timeless quality that will endure for decades. The reviewer appreciates the detailed and two-dimensional portrayals, which capture the essence of the characters and their environments.

The reviewer describes the trilogy as a cinematic masterpiece, with a timeless quality that will endure for decades. They appreciate the detailed and two-dimensional portrayals, which capture the essence of the characters and their environments. The reviewer also highlights the trilogy's ability to blend mystery and introspection, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. Overall, they view the trilogy as a significant and enduring work of literature, which will continue to captivate readers for years to come.


Quick quotes

    Sketched in cinematic black and white, this illustrated interpretation of the late author's postmodern detective novel is a 'stone-cold masterpiece'

    The trilogy's ability to blend mystery and introspection

    A significant and enduring work of literature

innovative 4.50

The trilogy is praised for its experimental and postmodern approach, breaking conventional boundaries. It is described as a unique and captivating exploration of identity and perception.

The reviewer commends the trilogy for its innovative and postmodern style, which challenges traditional narrative structures. They find the exploration of identity and perception to be both unique and captivating, highlighting the trilogy's ability to engage readers on multiple levels. The reviewer also appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plotting, which they believe sets the trilogy apart from other works in the genre. Overall, they view the trilogy as a significant and thought-provoking contribution to contemporary literature.


Quick quotes

    The New York Trilogy is an experimental postmodern fiction which breaks many boundaries of conventional novels

    A unique and captivating exploration of identity and perception

    The trilogy's ability to engage readers on multiple levels