Author Paul Auster, known for his existentialist novels, passes away at 77 due to lung cancer complications at his Brooklyn home. Auster, who authored over 30 books, gained a following in the 1980s and 90s, particularly in Europe. His works often delved into existential themes and the lives of outsiders.
Auster’s wife, author Siri Hustvedt, announced his cancer diagnosis in March 2023. Born to Jewish Polish immigrants in Newark, New Jersey, Auster later moved to New York for college at Columbia University. He spent four formative years in France, where he refined his writing skills.
Auster’s writing often explored father-son relationships, influenced by the sudden death of his father, as seen in his work “The Invention of Solitude” (1982). However, his breakthrough came with “The New York Trilogy,” a series that reimagined detective stories with philosophical depth.
He was praised for his sharp dialogue, and his books have been translated into over 40 languages. Auster also wrote the screenplay for the film “Smoke” (1995), starring Harvey Keitel, which won him an Independent Spirit Award.
In 2017, Auster published the novel “4321,” considered by him as his masterwork, which traced US society through the life of a character named Archie Ferguson. His most recent work, “Bloodbath Nation,” co-authored with his son-in-law Spencer Ostrander, focused on gun violence in America.
Auster faced personal tragedies, including the deaths of his granddaughter and son due to drug-related causes. Despite these challenges, Auster continued to write and engage with his craft until his passing.