American author Paul Auster dies aged 77

Paul Auster, an American author known for his postmodernist fiction and existentialist novels, passed away on April 30 at the age of 77 due to complications from lung cancer. Born in the United States, Auster gained cult status in the 1980s and 1990s with his "New York Trilogy" of metaphysical mysteries and his film "Smoke", which explored themes of loneliness and chance. His work often played with ideas of coincidence, fate, and the human condition, earning him a reputation for crafting highly stylized and thought-provoking stories. Auster's writing career spanned multiple genres, including noirish novels about lonely writers, and he was celebrated worldwide for his unique literary style.