I bought this book in need of something that would not lead to heavy introspection or stressing over the state of the world. What a wonderful, accidental choice it was! Paul Aster launches into a tall tale full of unique, peculiar and sympathetic characters who attempt and achieve amazing things. Told as a 1st-person narrative, the protagonist chronicles his life, starting in the 1920s as an 11-year-old guttersnipe in St. Louis who is approached by a man in a tuxedo and top-hat who promises that if the boy accompany him and submit to his instruction, he will be taught to fly by his 13ths birthday...if not, the man swears ...