The first half of this novel was ideal. An interesting character study and a glimpse into the life of a fiction writer. Coupled with Auster's sentences and I was in hog heaven. Then there's a sudden twist in the narrative, and the novel flirts with crime-noir. It wasn't quite my cup of tea after that. I found the chapters with Lillian in California to be annoying, and Peter's aspect of the narrative disappears completely until the end of the novel. Auster recovers at the end though, and all in all I thought Ben Sachs and 'Leviathan' were worthy companions over the last couple of days.

While this is my second time reading Auster, it is my first foray into his fiction. The talent is obvious. His writing appeals to me and I look forward to reading some of his higher regarded works. 'Moon Palace' maybe, or the 'New York Trilogy'. This one is a high three stars.