In April 2022, Paul Auster published a story titled 'Worms' in Harper's Magazine, marking his last work before a lung cancer diagnosis.

Following his diagnosis, Auster entered hospice care, and his final novel, 'Baumgartner,' was released posthumously in November 2023.

Auster's experiences with loss began early in life, having lost both grandmothers, his parents, and narrowly avoiding a tragic car crash that affected his wife and daughter.

Auster's reflections on death were shaped by a pivotal moment in July 1961, when he witnessed a lightning strike that killed a fellow camper.

Throughout his life, Auster emphasized the unpredictability of existence, noting that death can strike unexpectedly, impacting people of all ages.

These themes of grief and loss are prevalent in Auster's literary works, where characters often confront profound connections to a world that has been irrevocably altered.

His narratives frequently delve into the struggles of characters grappling with their pasts, seeking moments of epiphany amid their grief.

Auster's significant work, 'The New York Trilogy,' published in the mid-1980s, further explores themes of chance, secrets, and the tragic elements of human existence.