'Moon Palace' by Paul Auster follows the journey of Marco Stanley Fogg, a young man who faces multiple losses and struggles to find his identity. The plot intertwines three main stories that culminate in unlikely meetings, exploring themes of loss, reinvention, and second chances. Auster's writing style is described as captivating, with intricate storytelling that evokes a range of emotions from readers.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed as eccentric and deeply flawed individuals tied together through shared themes of loss and identity, though some critiques suggest lacking development in certain areas.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by a blend of lyrical depth and occasional awkwardness, creating a nuanced but sometimes uneven reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on Marco Stanley Fogg's journey through personal loss, identity exploration, and profound coincidences, all set against the historical backdrop of the moon landing.

Setting:

The setting captures the juxtaposition of urban life in New York and the stark wilderness of the American West, enhancing themes of isolation and self-discovery.

Pacing:

The pacing tends to be slow, reflecting the introspection of the plot, but can be disjointed due to its meandering nature.

It was the summer that men first walked on the moon. I was very young back then, but I did not believe there would ever be a future. I wanted to live dangerously, to push myself as far as I could go, ...

Notes:

The novel follows Marco Stanley Fogg, an orphan in his twenties during the 1960s to 70s.

It explores themes of identity and existentialism, often through coincidences and intersections in life.

Fogg's story begins in New York City, where he struggles after the death of his Uncle Victor, who raised him.

His living situation deteriorates, leading him to homelessness in Central Park.

The narrative intertwines with the life story of Thomas Effing, an elderly man Fogg serves as a companion.

Effing shares his past, revealing a life of lost identities and adventures in the Wild West.

The title 'Moon Palace' refers to a Chinese restaurant, symbolizing Fogg's complex connections to family and self.

Fogg's life reflects Auster's themes of chance and the interconnectedness of all characters.

Significant motifs include books, survival, and the symbolism of the moon throughout the narrative.

The story culminates with revelations about identity and familial ties, ultimately leading Fogg to a beach in California.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Moon Palace includes content warnings related to themes of loneliness, existential despair, and mentions of death and abortion.

Has Romance?

Romance is present in Moon Palace, primarily through the relationship between Marco Stanley Fogg and Kitty Wu, although it is not the central focus of the narrative.

From The Publisher:

'It was the summer that men first walked on the moon. I was very young back then, but did not believe there would ever be a future. I wanted to live dangerously, to push myself as far as I could go, and then see what happened when I got there.'So begins the mesmerising narrative of Marco Stanley Fogg - orphan, child of the 1960s, a quester by nature. Moon Palace is his story - a novel that spans three generations, from the early years of this century to the first lunar landings, and moves from the canyons of Manhattan to the cruelly beautiful landscape of the American West. Filled with suspense, unlikely coincidences, wrenching tragedies and marvellous flights of lyricism and erudition, the novel carries the reader effortlessly along with Marco's search - for love, for his unknown father, and for the key to the elusive riddle of his origins and his fate.'Clever: very. Surprising: always - Auster is a master.' The Times

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About the Author:

Paul Auster is the best-selling author of Winter Journal, Sunset Park, 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.Among his other honours are the Independent Spirit Award for the screenplay of Smoke and the Prix Medicis Etranger for Leviathan. 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.He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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Moon Palace

Paul Auster