TIMBUKTU

Mr. Bones, the heroic dog of Paul Auster's astonishing book, is the sidekick and confidant of Willy G. Christmas, a brilliant and tr oubled homeless man from Brooklyn. As Willy's body slowly expires, he sets off with Mr. Bones for Baltimore in search of his high-sc hool English teacher and a new home for his companion. Mr. Bones is our witness during their journey, and out of his thoughts Paul A uster has spun one of the richest, most compelling tales in recent American fiction.