Ficciones

Another anthology of short stories, this one is Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges. This was a definite read for hard-core Lit majors.  A total of seventeen short stories which in no way are connected.  Some are a few pages and others up to about ten pages.  The entire collection is less than 150 pages long in total.  A number of the stories are his interpretation of other’s writings, capturing an earlier period of time in our world and thoughts on foreign cultures (like the Muslim world).  Borges does present some of the elements of the “human condition” and he suggests one book is contained in all books; there really isn’t anything that hasn’t been done before.  Everything is a repeat of what has already happened.  Borges’ use of language is outstanding and you need to read these over a period of time, i.e., it doesn’t sink in really quickly, at least it didn’t for me. Pretty philosophical and an acquired taste.  While I thought the language was strong, I wasn’t loving the subject matter, or maybe I wasn’t really getting it… what is it that is said, “it wasn’t speaking to me.”  And to think I was an English major… probably really should have been a “drama plays” major – right, Tisch students?  Sorry, bad form.  This was not a great Sunday morning read.  For those looking for a novel, or even short stories to pick up the book and enjoy, not for you.  If you want something to “chew on”… this probably has your name on it.