Sad news this morning. After a long battle against cancer, Paul Auster passed away at 77.

The City of Crystal, both in its book form and its graphic novel adaptation with David Mazzuchelli are some of the most influential works I can recall. Same goes for Smoke and Blue in the Face.

Paul Auster was what Philip Glass in music to me. They both open contemporary Arts to my 18 year old self who was only interested in (old) classics. It was because of them that I started listening to Avant Garde or got completely obsessed with Faulkner or, more recently, Crane. Both of them broaden horizons every time I come close to their work. And both of them, but Auster more so, do it in a subtle, unassuming way.

I can only thank him for all the incredible moments in the company of his books (and films) and all the doors they still open when revisited.

Godspeed