Status Updates From L'Aleph

The Zahir - perhaps my favorite so far!! The details are so rich, the character so compelling, and there’s just so much philosophy to unpack. Determinism, god, obsession, time, metaphysics, the will… I wanna read this again and again. The writing is some of the best I’ve ever read.

“Perhaps behind the coin is God.”

Deutsches Requiem - one of the most powerful and bone-chilling one’s I’ve read. A nazi trying to justify his atrocities in a truly terrifying way. “Let heaven exist, though our place be in hell.” The idea that these horrible acts of history are sacrifices for some greater victory, it’s a terrible thought.

Averroës’ Search - didn’t really get this one. A bit thought provoking but just not my fav

The Other Death - not my favorite but pretty decent. Just didn’t feel like it had much depth, but I liked the narration.

Emma Zunz - great one. The character and circumstances felt so real. Uhh the writing is just so good. In such a short time I was so invested and the stories always have such a nice conclusion. Even if I might not have a cohesive theme now, it will surely be something that will stick in my head.

The House of Asterion - didnt understand this one. I liked the writing tho.

A Biography of Tadeo Isidoro Cruz - I liked this one. Some powerful lines in it. The idea that a whole life culminates in a single moment of understanding of the self, pretty powerful.