Book of the Week

The Book of Illusions by Paul Auster

Recommended by Seb Thomas

The Book of Illusions, by Paul Auster, is a powerful drama that follows the life of Professor David Zimmer, forced to adjust to a new and painful reality, after his family is tragically killed in a plane crash. After spending much of a year in a hive of depression and self-pity, he finds his way out by discovering Hector Mann, a silent film comedian. The book is narrated in the first person by Zimmer but switches focus between him and Mann as the actor's past is gradually uncovered.

The characterisation in this novel is excellent, and Mann's character is especially interesting. We come to truly understand his motivations, and his story is perhaps what most makes the book compelling. Zimmer's character is far more mysterious to the reader, due to his mixed motives which stay obscure to the reader for most of the story.

My favourite part of the book is near the beginning when Zimmer first discovers Mann in a documentary about silent film. It is the second most important turning point in Zimmer's life, after his family's death, and, in a moment of inspiration, he breaks out of his death-like trance and transforms into a completely different character, one with a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.