Can an author adopt the voice and perspective of a dog? In the case of author Paul Auster and the dog, Mr. Bones, the constant companion of Willy G. Christmas in Timbuktu, the answer is “yes.”
Willy was not long for this world. And Mr. Bones had noted that a new “tonality” had taken up residence in the “wheezing bronchial music” of his master. There was nothing Mr. Bones could do about it. That was the tragedy and reality. The smell of death had settled over this duo.
Sound like a tragic read? Yes, there is tragedy as well as humor in the last days of this couple no reader can avoid. Yet there is no way I would minimize the benefits of reading Paul Auster’s Timbuktu.
Auster died earlier this year. Timbuktu is the third of the some 30 books he wrote. In the time still allotted me, I do not resolve to read them all.
Word to the wise. A the very least, immediately pick up Moon Palace. You won’t be sorry. The added attraction for me is that most of the story takes place in Morningside Heights in Manhattan of New York City.
I plan to pick up 4321 next.
Flaneuse 