The Book of Sand and Shakespeare's Memory (Penguin Classics)

What an interesting writer. I talky enjoyed his style more than the subjects. It's a book full of short stories; some more interesting than others.

This is one of the most reserved of all of Borges' writings. It is calmer and quieter and yet more unsettling and mysterious than much of his earlier work.

good and fast

Jorge Luis Borges is one of those authors everyone should read. So amazing.

Jorge Luis Borges es un escritor, que en mi opiniondebe estar en todas las casas que amen la literatura.

I was introduced to Borges, more than 30 years ago, by Harlan Ellison, who so often manages to inform and entertain at the same time. Some 3 decades later, I decided to re-read "The Book of Sand" and was even more impressed this time. Judging by this volume alone, Borges may have been one of the greatest short story writers I've ever read. Granted, I'm only reading the English versions, so some praise must go to the translators, also. As a life-long reader of genre fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Mystery-Detective), I can honestly say that, in my opinion, Borges captures the essence of these genres and shows how beautifully it can be done, with few words. His prose (again, in translation) is spare yet he sets the scene or describes a character with a sometimes startling economy, giving readers what we need to know and allowing us to think and feel for ourselves.I also appreciate the fact that Borges pays homage to some of my favorite writers. In his Author's Note to the Hardcover edition, he says he has tried to remain faithful to the example of H.G. Wells, by combining a plain (almost colloquial) style with a fantastic plot. He also credits Swift and Poe with these attributes. His story "There Are More Things" is an homage to H. P. Lovecraft, although Borges offers it up with what seems close to an apology.In this day of thicker books and longer series; in a time when the more convoluted and self-centered books seem to be favored; in an age of run-on sentences and dialogue without quotations, along with other conceits, Borges shows us that a story can be even more effective when done briefly and pointedly. He demonstrates that clarity and brevity can revive memories, evoke longings and stimulate possibilities in his readers. He believed that greatness lay not only with writers, but in their readers as well.

I'm a fan of Borges, and the inspiration from his works more than require my bended knee, but this one seemed weaker than his other works. Why? I'm not certain. But I will revisit the book and see....

J.L Borges is one of the great writers of the 20th century. He takes his readers into a hidden world and makes it transparent.

If one reads Jorge Luis Borges, you have read everyone and everything. Every story surrounds and fills you with a very distant sadness that has traveled ages to affect you like a gentle evening sea breeze.Penguin: For a legend like Borges, the paper quality is a great injustice.

A revelation. Changed my views of what literature could be.