I was surprised to learn that Tom and Honey, two characters in Paul Auster’s new book BROOKLYN FOLLIES, move into an apartment not unlike mine.

From page 281: "In March of 2001, they moved into a co-op on Third Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues; an airy light-filled place on the fourth floor with a sizable living room in front, a modest kitchen and dining room in the center, and a narrow hallway, tht led to three small bedroom in the back (one of which Tom converted into a study)."

Our apartment is notable for its sizable living room AND dining room. I guess you could call the kitchen modest. And yes, a narrow hallway leads to three small bedrooms in the back. They are very small. We never thought we’d last here this long. We didn’t think a teenager would fit in one of those bedrooms. But he does. Quite nicely, I might add.

Husband had a computer-filled office in one of the bedrooms before Daughter was born. But then he had to vacate it and he got a job in the city. Then he did photography in the living room. Now he’s got a job in the city again.

It took days and days for Husband to pack up that office. It was amazing how much in the way of equipment, wires, electronic devices, magazines, and manuals he fit into that office.

Now it’s Daughter’s room, filled with all kinds of tchotckes, a huge Fisher Price dollhouse found on the street the day after Christmas, books, stuffed animals and American Girl dolls in various poses on the window sill.

There are at least ten identical limestone apartment buildings on Third Street. Some have the kitchen near the front, some in the back. Some have three small bedrooms. Or two slightly larger bedrooms. Still, there are approximately 80 apartments that are practically the same between Sixth and Seventh Avenue.

I wonder which building Auster was talking about.