Paul Benjamin Auster, an influential figure in contemporary literature, is often described in complex and enigmatic terms. His work, rooted in modernist traditions, seems to defy easy categorization, yet he has carved a notable place for himself in both American and global literary circles. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Paul’s upbringing was marked by economic struggles, familial discord, and an early introduction to literature that would shape his future as a writer.

Early Life and Literary Influences

Paul Auster was born to Jewish parents who were third-generation immigrants. His father, Samuel Auster, worked as a landlord, while his mother, Queenie, was significantly younger than her husband. The family dynamics were fraught with challenges, including financial disputes and eventual divorce, experiences that deeply influenced Auster's worldview and literary themes. Auster also had a sibling who struggled with psychological issues from a young age, further coloring his childhood environment.

An integral aspect of Auster’s literary formation came from the books that were left in his family's care by his uncle, Allan Mandelbaum, a respected poet and translator. Mandelbaum's work introduced Auster to the complexities of language and poetry, laying the groundwork for his future literary pursuits. This exposure, paired with the tumultuous nature of his family life, ingrained in Auster a profound interest in the power of words and storytelling.

Education and Literary Beginnings

Auster pursued higher education at Columbia University, where he not only earned his undergraduate degree in 1969 but also achieved a master's degree in comparative literature by 1970. His college years were marked by significant social upheaval, yet Auster himself remained largely apolitical. Instead, he immersed himself in the literary scene, contributing reviews to the Columbia Daily Spectator and the Columbia Review, sometimes writing under the pseudonym Paul Quinn. This penchant for varied identities would become a recurring motif in his later works.

During his time at Columbia, Auster became acquainted with H. L. Humes, cofounder of The Paris Review. This meeting had a lasting impact on Auster, influencing his novel Moon Palace, which he began during this period. Auster also engaged deeply with the American Renaissance and the works of modernist figures like Samuel Beckett, Franz Kafka, and Knut Hamsun, whose philosophies would permeate his writing.

Exploration and Initial Works

Chance played a critical role in Auster's life when he was spared from the Vietnam War draft due to a favorable lottery number. This twist of fate allowed him to pursue his literary ambitions rather than a military career. After deciding against a doctorate, Auster took on various short-term jobs, including translation and literary work, while continuing to write poetry.

In 1970, Auster moved to Paris with Lydia Davis, a fellow writer he had met earlier. Together, they co-edited the journal Living Hand, where Auster published his first complete poetry collection, Unearth. The journal became a platform for both emerging and established voices, including Davis's own work.

Poetry and Influence

Auster's poetry collections, including Unearth, Wall Writing, Fragments from Cold, and Facing the Music, reveal the profound impact of French poets like André du Bouchet and Jacques Dupin. He was also influenced by the German poet Paul Celan and American Objectivist poets such as Charles Reznikoff and George Oppen. These influences can be seen in Auster's introspective examinations of perception and the creative process, themes prevalent in his poetry.

Personal Life and Prose Evolution

Upon returning to New York in 1974, Auster married Lydia Davis. They supported themselves through translation work while Auster continued writing prose and articles. Despite winning a fellowship from the Ingram Merrill Foundation, many...