![]() ![]() But this was how Borges talked: There was little separation between what he had read, lived and written himself. Fans may notice that his conversation is peppered with quotes from his essays and wonder if Parini has placed lifted passages in his subject’s mouth. Some scenes, remembered 50 years after the fact, may read like set pieces, some conversations may seem too neatly composed, but the spirit of Borges rings true. ![]() The bond that Borges and Parini forge during their improbable journey is moving, with its unexpected moments of confession and shared fragility. In this sense, the memoir is an important contribution to the biography of a major writer. This reminiscence by Parini, who is now a prolific novelist, biographer and poet, brings Borges more sharply to life than any account I’ve read or heard. He is curious about everyone they meet, offering himself openly. A delightful aspect of this portrait is Borges’s complete lack of snobbishness. Parini wonderfully describes Borges as he experiences him, free of reverence or awe. A callow poet, hungry for guidance, is cluelessly alone with one of the most formidable writers of the 20th century his task is to open his eyes and discover the blind man’s brilliance. It allows him to recreate their encounter as an inconvenience rather than a privilege. This resistance is a fine narrative stroke. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |