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Borges: The Labyrinth Maker
In this incisive study Maria Barrenechea explores "the driving trend behind the symbols," the forces that give shape and coherence to Borges' resplendent world of shadows.Borges' metaphysical preoccupations, his fascination with the intricacies of language, his very special vocabulary of doubt, and his sure mastery of structure Professor Barrenechea illuminates each of these key elements with a close and steady examination of the work itself, and especially the short stories.The result is a book that makes available for the first time in English a detailed critical study, including a biographical sketch and an extended bibliography, of one of the most commanding writers of our time.Professor Barrenechea's book has taught me many things about myself. . . . The tenets and opinions [an author] holds are wrought by the superficial accidents of circumstance; what really matters is the driving trend behind the symbols. The author may not wholly understand them; this is the critic's task. - from the Foreword by Jose Luis BorgesANA MARIA BARRENECHEA IS Director of the Institute of Spanish Philology and Literature at the University of Buenos Aires. A frequent contributor to the leading Hispanic reviews, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association de Hispanistas.
- GenresCriticism
Paperback
Published January 1, 1965
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November 27, 2021
A critical study of Borges' writings up to the time it was written (after El otro, el mismo but before Elogia de la sombra and El informe de Brodie), this is an expanded translation of La expresíon de la irrealidad en la obra de Jorge Luis Borges.
It begins with a short biography which describes the various literary movements by which Borges was influenced and gives a brief summary of his writings. The rest of the book traces his exploration of irreality in terms of various repeated themes in his stories, poems and essays, such as infinity, chaos, pantheism, time and eternity, and idealist philosophy.
In addition to casting some light on passages which were somewhat obscure, the book also shows how all the stories and poems fit together as part of an extended discussion and what issues Borges was concerned with. It also discusses the literary techniques he uses in the stories. More worthwhile than most books of criticism.
It begins with a short biography which describes the various literary movements by which Borges was influenced and gives a brief summary of his writings. The rest of the book traces his exploration of irreality in terms of various repeated themes in his stories, poems and essays, such as infinity, chaos, pantheism, time and eternity, and idealist philosophy.
In addition to casting some light on passages which were somewhat obscure, the book also shows how all the stories and poems fit together as part of an extended discussion and what issues Borges was concerned with. It also discusses the literary techniques he uses in the stories. More worthwhile than most books of criticism.
Displaying 1 of 1 review