Dolors’s review of Ficciones > Likes and Comments
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I understand your struggle; JLB is a brilliant writer with as many sides as one of his own labyrinths. He represents the wonder of infinite possibilities. So, yes, it is rather difficult. But this beautiful and so detailed review tells me you understood his writing more than you think, Dolors. Perhaps it didn't feel like that, it didn't feel right, and of course, you know better than anyone how you felt, heh; but I see otherwise :)
Florencia wrote: "But this beautiful and so detailed review tells me you understood his writing more than you think"
Heh, maybe you are right Florencia, but I think you give too much credit! It's mostly what you commented in your review, Borges' brilliance makes one feel slow-witted and inadequate, but I bow with respect and admiration in front of genial man who could see not one but multilayered realities with his mental clairvoyance. A re-read with a more open minded approach should be due shortly! Thanks for your gentle encouraging! :)
I like this review.
You know, I have the feeling that some books thrive on the people's desire to feel superior by saying they understand what others don't.
I can see why Borges’s detached, metallic style might not be to your taste, and there's no shame in that: your three stars reflect your lack of connection and enjoyment, not any inadequacy.
Cecily wrote: "I can see why Borges’s detached, metallic style might not be to your taste, and there's no shame in that: your three stars reflect your lack of connection and enjoyment, not any inadequacy."
Glad you think so, Cecily. I find it really weird myself, but I have loved other surrealist, erudite writers like Calvino or Eco, but couldn't be moved by Borges' convoluted stories. I do need to read him again, in small doses though, for I think that reading all his tales in a row was a mistake.
Definitely small doses. I read them all in a row - but with lots of breaks into something else (whereas usually, I read only one book at a time).
Tbrando wrote: "I tried reading Borges during small breaks at work, during my daughter's sporting practices and painting classes, in between making dinner, and tugging at my dog to-hurry-the-hell-up walking and po..."
Heh, your comment gives me hope that I might one day get my moment of enlightentment and connect with Borges’ labyrinthine stories.
He is quite a genius and so erudite that I can’t help feeling out of my depth in front of such condensed literary equations.
I also had the problem that some of his stories (not all of them) didn’t manage to stir any emotion in me, and that is usually a drawback in my relationship with authors of fiction.
I will definitely give his sophisticated tales another try in the future though, and maybe he will tug at my heartstrings if I manage to better understand his multi-layered, complex universe.
Don't really quite know what to make of this, going from one story to another is difficult to digest. You may have a point in reading one story at a time, every few days, that's what I am undertaking now.
Steven wrote: "Don't really quite know what to make of this, going from one story to another is difficult to digest. You may have a point in reading one story at a time, every few days, that's what I am undertaki..."
I've been meaning to re-read these stories following that same reasoning, Steven. Maybe your experience will confirm my suspicions and give me the final push to finally give this collection another try.
eu li só a primeira metade e achei realmente extraordinário. Filosofia, filologia, poesia, tudo multiplicado por labirintos em espelhos e linguagens e pontos de vista mil. Um autor fascinante, li pelo original em espanhol, que entendo perfeitamente essa língua irmã, embora não me atreva a escrever e errar conjugações verbais :)
Me alegra ver que te gustó Borges, namejiseijin.
Frankly, it sounds to me like you got him. One facet you should definitely be aware of is that many (nay, most) of his literary or critical allusion are completely made up. He’s kinda $$$$ing with us. And at times the narrator is meant to be biased or clueless or both.
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I understand your struggle; JLB is a brilliant writer with as many sides as one of his own labyrinths. He represents the wonder of infinite possibilities. So, yes, it is rather difficult. But this beautiful and so detailed review tells me you understood his writing more than you think, Dolors. Perhaps it didn't feel like that, it didn't feel right, and of course, you know better than anyone how you felt, heh; but I see otherwise :)
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Florencia wrote: "But this beautiful and so detailed review tells me you understood his writing more than you think"Heh, maybe you are right Florencia, but I think you give too much credit! It's mostly what you commented in your review, Borges' brilliance makes one feel slow-witted and inadequate, but I bow with respect and admiration in front of genial man who could see not one but multilayered realities with his mental clairvoyance. A re-read with a more open minded approach should be due shortly! Thanks for your gentle encouraging! :)
I like this review. You know, I have the feeling that some books thrive on the people's desire to feel superior by saying they understand what others don't.
I can see why Borges’s detached, metallic style might not be to your taste, and there's no shame in that: your three stars reflect your lack of connection and enjoyment, not any inadequacy.
Cecily wrote: "I can see why Borges’s detached, metallic style might not be to your taste, and there's no shame in that: your three stars reflect your lack of connection and enjoyment, not any inadequacy."Glad you think so, Cecily. I find it really weird myself, but I have loved other surrealist, erudite writers like Calvino or Eco, but couldn't be moved by Borges' convoluted stories. I do need to read him again, in small doses though, for I think that reading all his tales in a row was a mistake.
Definitely small doses. I read them all in a row - but with lots of breaks into something else (whereas usually, I read only one book at a time).
I tried reading Borges during small breaks at work, during my daughter's sporting practices and painting classes, in between making dinner, and tugging at my dog to-hurry-the-hell-up walking and pooping....I finally realized I could not do this with Borges. Otherwise I would give him no stars because he requires me to look up so much and to think so much...he requires a damn lot from me...and I had to reread his stories a few times muttering WHAT THE HELL....then, a few nights ago, quiet time and something brilliant happened. Like a math equation I didn't get a few days earlier I finally understood then. He isn't easy, but I feel like I ran a marathon with a Kenyan.
Tbrando wrote: "I tried reading Borges during small breaks at work, during my daughter's sporting practices and painting classes, in between making dinner, and tugging at my dog to-hurry-the-hell-up walking and po..."Heh, your comment gives me hope that I might one day get my moment of enlightentment and connect with Borges’ labyrinthine stories.
He is quite a genius and so erudite that I can’t help feeling out of my depth in front of such condensed literary equations.
I also had the problem that some of his stories (not all of them) didn’t manage to stir any emotion in me, and that is usually a drawback in my relationship with authors of fiction.
I will definitely give his sophisticated tales another try in the future though, and maybe he will tug at my heartstrings if I manage to better understand his multi-layered, complex universe.
Dolors wrote: "Tbrando wrote: "I tried reading Borges during small breaks at work, during my daughter's sporting practices and painting classes, in between making dinner, and tugging at my dog to-hurry-the-hell-u..."
Yes...it helped that I finally found that quiet time to really read his words and let it sink in...I did have a large amount of words I had to look up (which helped immensely)...and, I had to reread a story a few times before I caught sight of where I could connect...otherwise I would not have understood his meaning at all.
Yes...it helped that I finally found that quiet time to really read his words and let it sink in...I did have a large amount of words I had to look up (which helped immensely)...and, I had to reread a story a few times before I caught sight of where I could connect...otherwise I would not have understood his meaning at all.
Don't really quite know what to make of this, going from one story to another is difficult to digest. You may have a point in reading one story at a time, every few days, that's what I am undertaking now.
Steven wrote: "Don't really quite know what to make of this, going from one story to another is difficult to digest. You may have a point in reading one story at a time, every few days, that's what I am undertaki..."I've been meaning to re-read these stories following that same reasoning, Steven. Maybe your experience will confirm my suspicions and give me the final push to finally give this collection another try.
eu li só a primeira metade e achei realmente extraordinário. Filosofia, filologia, poesia, tudo multiplicado por labirintos em espelhos e linguagens e pontos de vista mil. Um autor fascinante, li pelo original em espanhol, que entendo perfeitamente essa língua irmã, embora não me atreva a escrever e errar conjugações verbais :)
Me alegra ver que te gustó Borges, namejiseijin.
Frankly, it sounds to me like you got him. One facet you should definitely be aware of is that many (nay, most) of his literary or critical allusion are completely made up. He’s kinda $$$$ing with us. And at times the narrator is meant to be biased or clueless or both.
