PAUL AUSTER
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This novel is a story about a dog's life. From the viewpoint of the protagonist. Called Mr Bones.
In this book the reader follows Mr Bones from his first master Willy, who brought him up and who dies at the beginning of the story, to a lonely Chinese boy who cares for him but has to keep it a secret, because his father - a restaurant owner - would cook the dog. His last master is Polly, the mother of a rich family.
These changes are not easy for the dog because his different masters have a rather different life-style. Willy is a freaked-out tramp, who is a poet and wants to preach the message of Santa Claus; Mr Bones enjoys much freedom and develops a close friendship. In contrast, the other masters supply him with enough food, a luxury life even with Polly. But he misses the freedom and friendship he had before, which takes him to a radical decision in the end ...
I like the story because it is written in an amusing way. Especially it is the look upon the different persons from a half-way naive and ironic view of a creature that has other senses than humans have - which makes it so funny and exciting to read.
Paul Auster makes you imagine lively being in the skin (or better coat) of this dog that has very human needs and desires.
Martin Baumgärnter | LK Englisch 2001