Paul Auster uses a unique, engaging tone in all his novels, a somewhat lyrical prose involving chance, a quiet pace and surreal plot lines, and The Music of Chance is my favorite of all his novels.

Jim Nashe is a fireman who suddenly inherits some unexpected money. After buying a new car and going on a road trip, his return sets him about a different path:

He had told them he was planning to go back to Massachusetts, but as it happened, he soon found himself traveling in the opposite direction. That was because he missed the ramp to the freeway – a common enough mistake – but instead of driving the extra twenty miles that would have put him back on course, he impulsively went up the next ramp, knowing full well that he had just committed himself to the wrong road. It was a sudden, unpremeditated decision, but in the brief time that elapsed between the two ramps, Nashe understood that there was no difference, that both ramps were finally the same. ..He could go anywhere he wanted, he could do anything he felt like doing, and not a single person in the world would care. As long as he did not turn back, he could just as well have been invisible.

And so he is off, driving just to drive. So begins this story, which (if you’ll pardon the pun) eventually takes a detour when he runs into a beaten Jack Pozzi, a gambler. The two get involved in a poker game – and at this point, I should mention that the whole book is predicated on much the same beat as poker – it’s about chance, challenge, bluffs and risk.

The relationship between the two strangers led down an odd path together is original, somewhat disturbing, and incredibly well paced and engaging. Without giving any of the actual plot away, understand that major plot devices center around both the construction of a stone wall, and a mammoth miniature model called the City of the World. Described in the novel, the City of the World “…is more than just a toy,’ Flower said, ‘it’s an artistic vision of mankind. In one way, it’s an autobiography, but in another way, it’s what you might call a utopia – a place where the past and future come together, where good finally triumphs over evil…It’s an imaginary place, but it’s also realistic. Evil still exists, but the powers who rule over the city have figured out how to transform that evil back into good. Wisdom reigns here, but the struggle is nevertheless constant, and great vigilance is required of all the citizens – each of whom carries the entire city within himself.’”

The Music of Chance is a loopy, incredibly engaging novel that is an absolute joy to read. This was made into a very enjoyable film starring Mandy Patinkin as Nashe, and James Spader as Pozzi – it’s not the book, but worth a view should you get the opportunity. I should acknowledge that Auster’s writing style isn’t for everyone. It’s got an off-kilter pace that would be annoying if one didn’t “get it.” To gauge whether or not you would, I actually recommend watching the film Smoke. Auster wrote the screenplay for this, which is very indicative of the pace and tone of most of his works, including The Music of Chance.

In my mind, this novel is truly brilliant, and worth more than a single reading. If you’ve never read Paul Auster, this is a great entry point. I’d also recommend Leviathan, Moon Palace and The New York Trilogy.


Note: This review was updated on July 11, 2000.




Recommended: Yes

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