I found this from the recycling self of Oulunkylä library, in Helsinki. As I prefer books in Finnish, I'm going to send this to someone, who has it on his/her wishlist.

Sent to lamelemon. Enjoy! :)

Thank you so much MINKULA for this RABCK of one of my favourite authors! It's already here, and I'm sure I'll enjoy this one. I've planned another trip to the post office this week, a perfect time to conjure up something nice for you, too :)

Really looking forward to reading this one as soon as time and Mt. TBR allow.

LE: A great new Auster experience. I loved this book and the insight into story-telling. On the downside, I was starting to expect a near-fantastic experience and found that line of plot a little unresolved. I read the book in more than one sitting, but it was past 4 AM when I finished it!

I'm choosing "Man in the Dark" for Marsala's Favourite Book of 2012 Roundabout. Paul Auster is my (or one of my) favourite author(s) and this particular book left me with memorable images. I'd love to share it with a select list of bookcrossers, here's hoping you guys will enjoy it too!

Planned stops and approximate reading schedule (I'm adding this as I've noticed sometimes more than one book arrive at a time):

Jan. Merolia
Feb. Icila
Mar. Earthcaroleanne
Apr. fleurdelys
May. GailRogan
June.Tubereader
July. Fifna
Aug. Marsala
Sept. Grovalskii
Oct. LiniP
Nov. Lamilla

Posted to Merolia this morning. Safe travels, little one! And Season's Greetings to your next, unaware readers!

It arrived some days ago from lamelemon, together with a lovely card. I started reading it yesterday.

Update: Please skip the following until you have read the book!

The first thing that I would like to say about this book is that it is definitely very well written. The narration, the pace, the choosing of vocabulary, the placing of every word. The writer manages to make his point in an austere way, saying nothing more than what is needed. The literary ploy and the blurring between reality, imagination and story-telling were very interesting and very well executed, as well as the gradual unfolding of the individual stories of the protagonist and of some of the people he knew.

I have two main objections, both of which are a matter of taste and personal opinion. First, I wasn’t really captured by the fictional story. I was much more engaged by the narrator’s story and moved by his recounting. A good example is his thoughts on the films he describes or the story of his brother-in-law. However, I was not won over by the story of his fictional hero, although it was interesting to see the connections with the narrator. The idea of an American civil war, of the different realities, the moral dilemma and subsequent drama... interesting idea perhaps, but it didn’t really work for me. Although I felt for the narrator’s family, I didn’t feel much for his fictional heroes.

Secondly, to put it plainly, the story was too dark for me. I might be wrong or oversimplifying things a bit, but from my reading experiences it seems to me that it is much easier (and definitely much more often the case) to make a strong, emotionally deep story when it evolves around “darkness”: loss, grief, separation, solitude, human anxieties about life in general. I must make clear that I have nothing against this and many authors, including the one I just read, serve their purpose impressively. What I need to point out is that I tend to appreciate more the authors who manage to keep a better balance between pessimistic and optimistic aspects of life, who include a more lucid acknowledgement of the positive aspects, while maintaining the strength and depth of their story. More or less, all the stories the protagonist recounted were full of misery, in so many different aspects and circumstances, that the story almost lost its point for me. And in this sense, the ending wasn’t persuasive or satisfying enough for me.

In any case, as I said in the beginning, I really appreciated the writing of an author I have never read before. I am very happy for having the opportunity to come across him and I would be very interested to read more of his books.

The book is on its way to Icila.

The book arrived today. Thanks again for the beautiful stamps.

I, along with a few fellow bookcrossers, happened to meet Paul Auster who was a guest from the "Festival des Etonnants voyageurs" in Saint-Malo. How handsome !

I read some of his previous book which I didn't like so much, though.

I'll have a try with this one.

I loved it !
Thanks a lot lemelemon, without your choice I never had been reading Auster again.
So many subjects to think about in this well-written book. In think I understand the story in the story when the narrator wants to erase his errors without commiting a proper suicide.

On its way to Earthcaroleanne in Scotland

Arrived yesterday. I've got a couple in front of this but it won't take long.

Not sure what to say about this book. Interesting concept but seemed a little weak in the ending. A previous reader said they focused on the pessimistic but maybe it ended with hope. A house full of sadness and loss can eventually come out the other side.

On its way in the roundabout.

This arrived in the post this morning (I think it's my April instalment of the Favourite Book of 2012 roundabout). I'm looking forward to reading it.

A brilliantly executed book, but I thought the fictional hero's character needed to be fleshed out a bit more as he was a little two dimensional. I wasn't drawn by the story, but I think that was more personal taste than any critique of the author.

Passed on to GailRogan as part of the 'Best of 2012 Roundabout'

Caught from fleurdelys tonight. I'm looking forward to reading it!

I have to be honest I just could not get into the book at all - it was very negative there were some disturbing images/stories introduced that just repelled me.
Passing the book onto Tubereader.

Thanks, GailRogan! I look forward to reading the book given the mixed reviews from previous readers!

I have a few rings in front of it TBR but the books are relatively short, so I hope to get to it soon!

Thank you lamelemon for sharing this book. I agree with most precious readers that the book is perhaps a bit too pessimistic, but I also agree with earthcaroleanne's comment about the ending.

I think it is my first Paul Auster reading but I have very much enjoyed it.

Sorry for the delay, the book will go on to the next reader as soon as possible!

The book has been posted to Fifna, the next in line.

Happy reading!

Arrived safely, thanks Tubereader! I have enjoyed several other books by Paul Auster, so I'm looking forward to reading this.

First of all, I love Auster's style of writing, so for me his books are generally a joy to read. having said that, this was not my favourite. I liked the idea of the parallel story that was being told and that became a reality of sorts. And it gave an interesting view on story-telling. But, somehow I expected more from it. Maybe I felt it was too short: by the time it got going it was over. And that goes for both storylines. I would have liked to have read more.
Still, it was an enjoyable book, and well-written as ever. So thanks for sharing, lamelemon! I sent it on to marsala today.

On its way to marsala.

received the book today. I'll check with Marsala to see if she meant to be skipped?

Sorry! Haha, I wasn't skipped, I just managed to receive, read and send the book on without journalling it.

Anyway, I've read the book. I thought the concept looked very interesting at first glance. I liked the idea of the main story and the story that man makes up. I just wished there was more of the second story line, now it just seems to end so abruptly. I found the sort of dystopian world he created a lot more interesting and would have liked for the book to focus more on that story. Now it just seemed like a book with a lot of potential, but no more.

I liked and I disliked the book. The writing style is great and I will look for more books by this author in the future. But the two stories were strange. I liked the concept of a real story and the made up one, but the made up story only lasted through half the book and then there was only the real story and that seemed strange. Like the author couldn't think of what to write anymore and so continued with a totally different idea. Anyway, all together I did enjoy reading this book.

Mailed the book out today

I was a little worried about the travelling time of this book but it is now safe and sound in my hand and hopefully a nice read for dark November nights.

"The weird world rolls on" that is the sentence I will remember from this book and it hits a chord with me at the moment. In the beginning, I was not sure whether I could actually get into the book because the story of Owen Brick was just too strange. But I ended up liking the characters and the different aspects of their life. The book will travel to the next reader tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.

The book is off to the last reader in the round-about.

Arrived today, when it was considered long lost

This is a small light book, so I'm taking it with me and reading while on the way to/from work.

I finished the book today.
There was a scene in it, a conversation between Brill and his granddauther about visual effects in films, that I found absolutely fascinating. The feel of real closeness between them in that moment is really precious.
The other part of the story, relationships between men and women, left me a little frustrated. I'm not sure what the author meant to say by shoving us infidelity, broken homes and so-called "happy reunion".
The fantasy world of Brill's dream didn't catch me at all, though I understand its significance for the story as the way to go away from haunting memories.

I'm going to send the book home along with one or the other rings.

Planning to send this weekend along with other book

This Roundabouter is now back home. I'm curious where it will travel next. Thank you all who have been a part of its journey!

This little fellow is on the road again. Next stop, Maggie01 in Belgium.

Happy reading!

Thank you for sending it to me. As soon as I read it, it 'll travel again.

Hope you like this book.

Wow, such a well-travelled book and still looking brand new !
I cannot skip on Auster but reminded myself to put it on top of mtbr so that it does not linger here for too long !

Gotta love Auster !

Already read this book...

I hope you enjoy this book!