Borges and Me: an Encounter is a road trip novel based on a true story, a young Jay Parini's travels with renowned Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges.[1] With Parini having to recreate 50 year old conversations largely from memory, the book has been called a novelized memoir.[2]
Background
editJay Parini was in his early 20s in 1970 and decided he needed to study abroad. He wanted to avoid the Vietnam era draft and get away from his "suffocating Pennsylvania family."[1] He enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Borges was visiting the school; Paroni was mentored by one of his translators, Alastair Reid. Reid was going away for a few days and asked Parini to watch over Borges. Borges asked Parini to take him on an auto tour of the Scottish Highlands. Borges was blind, needing Parini to drive and describe everything.[3] At the time of the trip, Parini was unaware of Borges' reputation and work.[4]
The journey
editThroughout the trip they had conversations about life, literature and philosophy; these left a lasting impression on Parini.[5] Parini describes many interesting anecdotes of the trip. These events have been described "as somewhere between truth and fiction, between recollection and reimagination." Among other recollections are Parini and Borges getting lost in a maze in Scone, something "very Borgesian"; Parini saving the life of Borges when he stood up in a rowing boat on Loch Ness reciting lines of Beowulf; and, Borges hallucinating ghosts on the field of Culloden.[4]
Reception
editThe book was generally well received with positive reviews.[6] Kirkus Reviews called the book "a captivating homage."[7] Michael Greenberg (New York Times) wrote that Parini: "Brings Borges more sharply to life than any account I’ve read or heard. . . In this sense, the memoir is an important contribution to the biography of a major writer. . . For readers who already admire Borges, this memoir will be a delicious treat. For those who have yet to read him, Parini provides the perfect entry point to a writer who altered the way many think of literature."[1] Steve Paul (Booklist): "Fans of both Borges and Parini will delight in this touching coming-of-age memoir."[6]
Film adaptation
editBorges and Me: An Encounter is being adapted into a film directed by Marc Turtletaub.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Greenberg, Michael (2020-08-18). "A road trip with one of the 20th Century's greatest writers". The New York Times, Retrieved 2024-10-05
- ^ "Road Trip with a Writer | Middlebury". www.middlebury.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ Chakraborty, Abhrajyoti (2021-07-27). "Borges and Me: An Encounter by Jay Parini review – a bumpy literary road trip". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b Stuart, Kelly (2021-09-01). "Book review: Borges and me: An encounter, by Jay Parini". The Scotsman.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)Retrieved 2024-10-05 - ^ "Borges And Me Summary PDF | Jay Parini". Borges And Me Summary PDF | Jay Parini. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ a b "All Book Marks reviews for Borges and Me: An Encounter by Jay Parini". Book Marks. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ BORGES AND ME | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (2024-10-02). "Fionn Whitehead, Luis Gnecco, Alan Cumming to Star in 'Borges and Me' Film Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved 2024-10-03.