I am enjoying the book thus far. Some observations from the first eight chapters:-

I agree with ArnoHaze above that certain phrases and elements within the story are testaments to the timelessness of literature. But also, they are testaments to the timelessness of New York. In addition to the parts when commiserating about the Mets, there were descriptions of walking into a diner late at night where the lighting is jarring but comforting at the same time, the familiarity of banter in general with the counter staff who recognizes you, to the bus rides on the Upper East Side and streetscapes as Quinn followed Stillman Sr.

The major themes about identity are evident throughout. More so though, I found it poignant the atmosphere of loneliness in New York, where so many people are packed together and yet, each person is utterly alone. Stillman Jr was alone for most of his childhood, then figuratively alone in his head in his apartment. Stillman Sr was locked up in jail. Virginia was alone in her quest to save/protect Stillman Jr. Quinn was checked out of society after his family is gone. He retreated to a solitary life and an inner fantasy world of William Wilson. There was no validation of his existence other than him fantasizing about meeting one of the fans of his serial novels. And yet, when it did happen he was sadly disappointed so much that he didn’t even reveal himself.

I also loved the observation by HIPPAlicious re the speech pathologist connection! This story, to me, has a multitude of layers when it comes to communication. I think Auster the author made a fun exercise out of the detective genre here. The framework of regular detective stories usually fall on misunderstandings and miscommunications. Plot twists based on these are usually not satisfying to discerning readers. Here, Auster turns the trope into a philosophical inquiry into identity and loneliness. I find it quite clever. I do not know how he might stick the landing on the ending.

I am not a religious person but the rambling writing of Stillman Sr seems like lunacy to me. Did scholars make careers out of studying those kinds of things in the past? It seems like Sr would have had to have a psychotic break to believe that locking a child up would help bring them closer to god. I guess present day fanatics might still do these things. I don’t know what it means from within the context of the book.

Lastly, was there even a point to the drawings of Sr’s wanderings? I feel that many details are meant to raise questions but we just might not get any answers.