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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35. A 2020 Gift Guide for every literary taste
34. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie and twisty, atmospheric mystery novels
33.5 Discussing the new Netflix adaptation of Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, starring Lily James and Armie Hammer
33. Reading challenges and books for every fall reading mood with Courtney Wallace, The Incessant Bookworm
32. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and eerie books to read with the lights on
31. Short Story Club: Horror Story by Carmen Maria Machado and spooky book recommendations
30. The Crucible by Arthur Miller and witchy books to read this fall
29. Campus novels to read in the fall and why we love books about school
28. Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich, books by Indigenous authors, and intergenerational family stories
27. Anticipated Fall 2020 Reads and backlist books to pair with them
26. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and books about The American Dream
25. Quarterly Favorites: The Best Books We Read in Summer 2020
24. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien and fantasy novels for readers who love strong characters and complex worlds
23. On Campus with Novel Pairings, a preview of our back to school fall season and books that feel like Autumn
22. Like Water for Chocolate and mouth-watering fiction books about food, cooking, and romance
21. Book & Wine Pairings with Jamise Harper and book recommendations from our recent reads
20. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and romantic Black feminist heroines
19. Short Story Club: All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury and descriptive dystopian novels
18. The Odyssey by Homer and mythology retellings for adventurous readers
17. Buzzy Summer Books and backlist titles to read while you wait on your library holds
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