Writer: Paul Auster
Adapters: Paul Karasik & David Mazzucchelli
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
Publishers: Avon Books, Picador (re-issue)
Age: Teen
The book opens with a wrong number. Daniel Quinn writes detective novels under the pen-name William Wilson. He receives a phone call one night looking for a private detective named Paul Auster (coincidentally a detective with same name as the author). Over a few nights, he receives a succession of phone calls. The voices on the other end belong to Peter Stillman and his wife. Quinn finds out that Peter is afraid that his father will try to kill him. In 1960, his father locked him up as a child in an attempt to find out if God had a language. Peter’s father thought his son would speak it if he kept him from learning English. On May 19th, the day of his parents’ anniversary, Quinn decides to take the case. It starts out as a detective mystery and over the course of this book, we touch on the topics of identity, language, and human nature. It ends up becoming a psychological thriller. We also find out that Daniel Quinn lost his wife and son and feels a personal connection to this case. During his investigation, Quinn meets Paul Auster, who is an author and not a detective. Quinn gets so caught up and obsessed with solving the mystery and keeping Peter safe that he goes mad. The book takes an interesting turn towards the end and is beautifully illustrated example of a successful graphic novel adaptation.
City of Glass is one of three Paul Auster books which have very similar subject matter, dealing with loss, language, and detective work. Each of the three stories approach it from a slightly different angle, but once you read all three you can really see the connection. I have two copies of the City of Glass novel; a printing of the novel on its own and a copy collected in the New York Trilogy.
When I first read the City of Glass novel, I could easily picture it being adapted into a graphic novel. The story is very visual and even included a few illustrations. Reading the graphic novel for the first time was a really trippy experience, seeing all the images that I originally pictured in my mind on the page was incredible. Mazzucchelli has done a amazing job visualizing this novel. He uses a series of symbols, maps, and diagrams to translate Paul Auster’s work into images on the page. Auster does not waste a single word, carefully weighing each one. Mazzucchelli does the same with his images, beautifully bringing each of Auster’s words to life. Even if I keep mentioning the novel, you do not need to have read it first to appreciate the graphic novel. I actually find the story works better in this format.
If you have followed my reviews, you'll know that it is no secret that I love black and white comics. The art in this book is great! Some of the best parts are where during monologues or long stretches of internal thought; Mazzucchelli brings focus to an item, "zooming" closer and closer, "zooming" out to to reveal other images, images that might related, but might not directly refer to what is being said.
I encourage you to seek out this book. If you have read the novel, are a fan of Paul Auster’s novels, are a fan of David Mazzucchelli’s art, or are a fan of black and white art, you will love this adaptation. As I run down my checklist of things I look for in a book, the only thing this book is missing are four anthropomorphic turtles, but I cannot fault them for that. Fans of the artwork in City of Glass should check out Asterios Polyp, which is drawn and written by David Mazzucchelli.
Do you enjoy seeing novels adapted into graphic novels? Have you read any other similar book? Feel free to let us know in the comments.