Jorge Luis Borges has been called the greatest Spanish-language writer of our century. A selection of Borges' dazzling fictions are gathered in this audiobook, brilliantly translated by Andrew Hurley. These enigmatic, elaborate, imaginative inventions display Borges' talent for turning fiction on its head by playing with form and genre and toying with language. Together these incomparable works comprise the perfect compendium for all those who have long loved Borges, and a superb introduction to the master's work for those who have yet to discover this singular genius. Selections include: Borges and I, The Garden of Forking Paths, Man on Pink Corner, The Library of Babel, Death and the Compass, The Lottery in Babylon, The Maker, The Zahir, The Encounter, The Circular Ruins, Shakespeare’s Memory, August 25, 1983, The Immortal, Parable of Cervantes and the Quixote, The Story from Rosendo Juárez, The Aleph, and Dreamtigers.
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"There are no words to describe how much I admire this man's works... I wish he was still alive so I could probe at his fantastic mind for hours on end! I just couldn't help but fall in love with his writing style as soon as I picked up this book, and it was all thanks to a friend's recommendation."
— Hjvdiaz (5 out of 5 stars)
" Collecting together almost all of Borges' extant short fictions in a new translation by Andrew Hurley. The voice seems clearer and more natural and the volume is extensively annotated with helpful guides on Argentinian cultural and literary traditions. "
— Chris, 2/13/2014" I can't but like Borges, so I generally enjoy all of his short stories. "
— Kate, 2/12/2014" One of the best collections of short stories I own. "
— Glen, 2/3/2014" so far, phenomenal. turns out my new roommate happens to be reading the same book.. strange "
— Mike, 1/30/2014" A very slim portion of the stories are merely much better than your average read, the great majority is simply astonishing. Can be read over and over, and hey, you'll probably learn something along the way! "
— Bjørn, 1/20/2014" Stellar "what if?" scenarios. Borges' interests range in so many directions that he can always blow your mind. More of an intellectual exercise than an emotional involvement, but he gives in-depth information on each scenario. "
— Rachel, 11/22/2013" Any lover of literature needs to read some Borges. Period. "
— Lisa, 11/14/2013" The absolute bible...a twisting labryinth that changes everytime you read it and slowly infects all you read. "
— Adam, 11/8/2013" I was given this omnibus of Borges as a present, and it has become an ever-present on my nightstand. I'm rereading it for sixth time, but it might as well be my first for the impact it has with each reading. "
— Brent, 10/23/2013" So far so great..Wish I could read in Spanish. "
— Nicolehatsumi, 9/25/2013" Not so much consistenly good, but there are some completely amazing shorts in it that make it worth reading. "
— Alan, 5/20/2013" If you like knife fights, you like Borges. I got the book to see what his more fantastical shorts were like but was surprised by how much I enjoyed some of the gaucho stories. "
— Katie, 1/23/2013" the most imaginative writer I've encountered. Check out the short story Funes, La Memoria, and two other great ones, The South, and the Encounter "
— Jawkneeeye, 11/26/2012" elsur! "
— Vincent, 9/10/2012" It is an intelligent entertaining. Interesting short stories/narrations. Philosophical thoughts take the form of an event in his narration and keep you mesmerizing continuously. "
— Dhanaraj, 4/29/2012" Is it possible to imagine a life without Borges? "
— Steven, 2/9/2012" Why have I waited so long to read this? "Funes" and "the Aleph" are incredible.... I read also Susana Medina's writing on 'the Aleph' called "Hallucinating Spaces, or the Aleph"...maybe I'll be able to put it all together later. "
— snobbess, 8/8/2011" One of the best books I've ever read. It's his life's work, fiction-wise, but it's simply amazing. He's one of the most important writers to ever live. "
— Michael, 8/7/2011" My favorite story is The Library of Babel. Borges is on my top 10 list of dead people I want to invite to dinner. I'd give him a sherry and a Rubik's cube for an aperitif. "
— Ch'aska, 4/22/2011" I finally broke down and read Borges. I should have read him a long time ago. Infinite labyrinthian narratives and full of post-modern self-reference, Borges should be paid the highest compliment I can think of for a writer: thought provoking and entertaining simultaneously. "
— Kent, 3/17/2011" The Aleph alone is worth five stars, nevermind all the other amazing stories in this book. "
— Logan, 3/3/2011" <em>"If an eternal traveler should journey in any direction, he would find after untold centuries that the same volumes are repeated in the same disorder- which, repeated, becomes order: the Order. My solitude is cheered by the elegant hope."</em> "
— Zachary, 2/20/2011" an old favorite, well transferred to audio. the stories are captivating to listen to and Borges is just such an amazing writer and that comes out so well in both this translation and in being read aloud. just gorgeous. something i return to again and again. "
— pri, 2/18/2011" I loved "The Gospel According to Mark" "
— Lloyd, 2/3/2011" "The Library of Babel" is probably one of the coolest stories I have ever read. "
— Austin, 1/31/2011" Shortly into this book, I almost set it aside for something else. Pages later, I found myself recommending it to friends. "
— Jennifer, 1/26/2011" Reading Borges' Collected Fictions (and rereading Ficciones) is a joy. The force of his creativity, even as he returns to the same themes throughout his work, somehow snaps a reader, delightfully, frustratingly, off the linear path that is daily life. If only all reading could be like this. "
— Sara, 1/16/2011Jorge Luis Borges was born in Buenos Aires in 1899 and was educated in Europe. One of the most widely acclaimed writers of our time, he published many collections of poems, essays, and short stories before his death in Geneva in June 1986. In 1961 Borges shared the International Publisher’s prize with Samuel Beckett. The Ingram Merrill Foundation granted him its Annual Literary Award in 1966 for his “outstanding contribution to literature.” In 1971 Columbia University awarded him the first of many degrees of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa (eventually the list included both Oxford and Cambridge), that he was to receive from the English-speaking world. In 1971 he also received the fifth biennial Jerusalem Prize and in 1973 was given one of Mexico’s most prestigious cultural awards, the Alfonso Reyes Prize. In 1980 he shared with Gerardo Diego the Cervantes Prize, the Spanish world’s highest literary accolade. Borges was Director of the Argentine National Library from 1955 until 1973.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.