The book "Portrait of an Invisible Man," is a response by the brilliant Paul Auster to his father"s death. His father dropped dead one day, unexpectedly, after being in perfect health. Despite the abruptness of his demise, Auster did not grieve and was ready to move on following the news. But, something troubled him and this concern would ultimately lead to the creation of this piece. He writes, "What disturbed me was something else, something unrelated to death or my response to it: the realization that my father had left no traces," (Auster 51). With the passing of his father, Auster was filled with so many unanswered questions about him that he felt he had no choice but to write about him. Auster writes, "An obligation that began to impose itself on me the moment I was given the news. I thought: my father is gone. If I do no act quickly, his entire life will vanish along with him," (Auster 51). .

             This undeveloped relationship between father and son filled Auster with an overwhelming and desperate need to search for father. This urge to examine him, his feelings about their relationship, and investigate both their pasts ultimately became the purpose of this piece. "If, while he was alive, I kept on looking for him, kept trying to find the father who was not there, now that he is dead I still feel as though I must go on looking for him," (Auster 52). Paul was disturbed at the fact that his father had left no traces, so what he sought to do with this piece was to memorialize his father so that he would be remembered. The manner in which Auster goes about this is through examining his memory of his father and his feelings toward both of their lives. .

             Auster goes into detail of the type of man whom he alleged his father to be, from his behavior, odd mannerisms, and treatment toward other people. He paints a picture of his father through memories he had of his past.