summary

Summary

«The Book of Illusions» by Paul Auster tells the story of David Zimmer, a literature professor who falls into a deep depression after losing his wife and children in a plane crash. In an attempt to distract himself from his grief, he becomes fascinated with silent films and discovers the work of the enigmatic comedian Hector Mann, who vanished in 1929. Zimmer writes a book about Mann and soon receives a letter from a woman claiming that Mann is alive and wants to meet him. The journey to Mann becomes not only a quest for the missing artist but also a way for Zimmer to confront his own illusions and find hope for the future. The story intertwines themes of loss, art, and redemption, exploring how illusions can shape and shatter our reality.