Arabic version: سيري هوستفيدت تعكس الحب والفقد في مذكراتها الجديدة

Siri Hustvedt has released a poignant new memoir titled *Ghost Stories*, which reflects on the death of her husband, acclaimed author Paul Auster. Auster, known for works such as *The New York Trilogy* and *The Brooklyn Follies*, passed away from complications from lung cancer in April 2024 at the age of 77. Hustvedt’s memoir combines letters, journal entries, and personal recollections, offering an intimate look at their life together.

According to ABC News, Hustvedt describes a profound experience she had on the day of Auster’s funeral. After a graveside service, while resting in their bedroom, she felt a sense of his presence, which brought her joy. This encounter, she explains, is not uncommon among the bereaved, with studies suggesting that 30 to 60 percent of bereaved people experience similar grief hallucinations.

Hustvedt’s exploration of these ghostly encounters is intertwined with her interest in the brain and grief. She believes these experiences represent the nervous system’s response to the “radical absence” of a loved one. Her husband’s wish to return as a ghost, expressed before his death, inspired the title of her memoir and reflects a deep bond that transcends mortality.

The couple first met in 1981 at a poetry reading in New York, where Hustvedt was immediately drawn to Auster. They married on June 16, 1982, and shared a rich literary life, often critiquing each other’s work. Hustvedt recalls their dynamic as one of mutual respect and love, which made their literary exchanges both challenging and rewarding.

In *Ghost Stories*, Hustvedt captures the essence of their relationship, from their initial meeting to their shared writing life, and ultimately, her journey through grief. The memoir serves as a testament to their enduring love and the profound impact of loss on the human experience.