We’re wrapping up the 2023 season with a final Short Story Club, this time exploring a prime example of Postmodern fiction with Jorge Luis Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths.” Borges is often considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century and credited as an early writer of magical realism, lo real maravilloso.
In today’s discussion, we take a close work at Borges’ popular story and share our interpretations on this text that begs us to stretch our concept of time and causality and consider the infinite possibilities and choices that shape history and destiny. We also share background on Jorge Luis Borges’ life as well as discuss the Argentinian writer’s contribution to the literary canon. And as always, we can’t help but talk about what texts we’ve read that use tropes and elements developed in Borges Ficciones.
If you love our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings.
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53. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Part Two
52. Backlist pairings for our most anticipated Spring 2021 book releases
51. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Part One
50.5 Five tips for reading Pride and Prejudice (or any Austen novel)
50. Quarterly Favorites: the stand-out books we read in Winter 2020-2021
49. The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and twisted Gothic fairytales to read in one sitting
48. Fairytale retellings for readers of all ages
47. There is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset and ambitious family stories that span generations
46. Love letters to books: nonfiction books about the reading life
45. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff and charming books for devoted bibliophiles
44.5 Anticipated book releases for winter 2021 and backlist books to read while you wait
44. Short Story Club: The Hunter's Wife by Anthony Doerr and wintry books to cozy up with this season
43. Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde and books that center intersectional feminism
42. Superlatives for underrated, surprising, and well-loved books we read in 2020
41. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and contemporary book recs inspired by the March sisters
40. The joy of nostalgic reads and books that Jo March would love with Annie B. Jones, owner of The Bookshelf
39. My Antonia by Willa Cather, plus books about community and survival to read this winter
38. The Best Audiobooks We Read in 2020
37. Quarterly Favorites: the best books we read in Fall 2020
36. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told by Alex Haley, with Traci Thomas of The Stacks
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