American author and screenwriter Paul Auster passed away at the age of 77 due to complications from lung cancer at his home in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening, as reported by the New York Times, citing his friend and author Jacki Lyden.
Auster, born in New Jersey, was renowned for his notable works such as "The New York Trilogy" and "The Book of Illusions."
Expressing their condolences, the Booker Prizes highlighted Auster's global impact on readers and writers, noting that his book "4 3 2 1" was shortlisted for the award in 2017.
Auster, who authored over 30 books including poetry and memoirs, revealed to Reuters in 2011 his preference for writing by hand in notebooks and then transcribing the final draft on a typewriter, avoiding the use of computers. "I feel more alive when I'm working," he remarked.
Reflecting on the nature of writing, Auster considered it an "illness," questioning the appeal of a life spent alone, crafting words on paper. "It's a strange occupation. You got to have a great taste for solitude," he mused.