Collected Fictions

By: Jorge Luis Borges, Andrew Hurley - translator

Narrated by: George Guidall

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 Juarez", "The Aleph", and "Dreamtigers".

Please note: This audio edition includes selections from the paperback edition. The stories included are unabridged.

©1999 Jorge Luis Borges (P)2010 Penguin

Critic reviews

“The major work of probably the most influential Latin American writer of the century." (The Washington Post Book World)

“An unparalleled treasury of marvels.... Along with a tiny cohort of peers, and seers (Kafka and Joyce come to mind), Borges is more than a stunning storyteller and a brilliant stylist; he’s a mirror who reflects the spirit of his time." (Chicago Tribune)

“Borges is the most important Spanish-language writer since Cervantes.... To have denied him the Nobel Prize is as bad as the case of Joyce, Proust, and Kafka.” (Mario Vargas Llosa)

Where's the Rest of the Book?

Something curious must be going on with the Borgesian estate. This major a western writer is only available in small bits on audible and Amazon. I hope we get his ouvre some time soon.

Fantastic! If you are Borges-curious, do it!

This is a great production. Perfect for an introduction to Borges. Guidall, the narrator, is excellent (as always). One of my best Audible purchases, I listen to it often. I just wish there was more Borges available in English on Audible. I agree, of course, that the unabridged collection would have been preferred, but this compilation is well worth a credit! Also, contrary to what another reviewer said, it DOES contain “The Garden of Forking Paths.” The story doesn’t have its own “chapter” on the audio book, but it comes right after the first (very short) story, “Borges and I.” “The Garden of Forking Paths” alone was worth a credit, since I’ve listened to it so many times!

Same as it ever was

Borges is the sorcerer supremacy of the surreal, a magi of the metaphysical and mystic. His flowing, circuitous prose does to the mind what Rumi does to the soul. The George Guidall channels his spirit altogether.

Challenges Coelho as my favorite author by

At first I felt it scratching the surface of my deepest reasoning then it was digging into it but by the end it had turned it upside down and letting the sand of logic rain on my heart.

Absolutely fantastic

Borges is an unequaled master and genius. The narration is very fitting for the material.

Wondrous Mystery

I can’t say understood these stories fully or even deeply.

But I loved digging into them.

I’ve long wondered about Borges and been attracted to his stories. His having won the Nobel Prize and his papers having been acquired by our magnificent Ransom Center - all this added to the intrigue.

I did my best, looking at accounts of the plots and analyses of several of the stories. And I applied my best thought and effort and understanding as I listened along.

I’m very glad I did, to experience the mystery and the fantasy and the depth of spirit and soul of the place and people of his experience, and his ideas.

I need to do more, and I hope I will.

But it was a good start, and I’m very grateful.

The reading was satisfactory. Guidall is not my favorite.

Need a list of the titles included

What did you love best about Collected Fictions?

I am fine with the audiobook being an abridged version, but would much appreciate a table of content that shows the titles included and help navigate the listening experience.

Very enjoyable

Excellent, but hardly a complete collection. Great narrator with good attention to detail and pronunciation.

exquisite stories to make you think

I loved these short stories, a collection of fantastical and speculative fiction with a philosophical bent. Great narrator performance as well, he really helped the characters come to life. Excellent collection overall, will probably revisit again.

Fantastic in many senses of the word.

Fantastic in many senses of the word. Intimate reflections as short stories about time and memory and perception and infinitude. Heady and ridiculous, wandering effortlessly from philosophy to poetry to suspenseful prose to meta-critique of literature and the author himself. I had to reread many of the stories for a fuller appreciation and I suspect that's still true.