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 Juárez, The Aleph, and Dreamtigers.

Critic reviews

A New York Times Notable Book

“A marvelous new collection of stories by one of the most remarkable writers of our century.” —The New York Times

“The major work of probably the most influential Latin American writer of the century.” —The Washington Post

“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

“This book is a real feast, prepared by one of the greatest modern confectioners of sheer fiction.” —The Seattle Times

“An event worth of celebration . . . Hurley deserves our enthusiastic praise for this monumental piece of work.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“Beneath Borges’s paradoxical twists and inverted spells there is the deeper, ineffably human magic of all great literature.” —Los Angeles Times

“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

“Though so different in style, two writers have offered us an image for the next millennium: Joyce and Borges. The first designed with words what the second designed with ideas: the original, the one and only World Wide Web. The Real Thing. The rest will remain simply virtual.” —Umberto Eco

“It is a deep pleasure to read the Collected Fictions of Borges in Andrew Hurley’s capable new version. Old favorites like ‘Death and the Compass’ and ‘The Immortal’ are revivified by Hurley. There is also a particular satisfaction in having all of the stories in one volume.” —Harold Bloom

“What are we to make of him? The economy of his prose, the tact of his imagery, the courage of his thought are there to be admired and emulated. In resounding the note of the marvelous last struck in English by Wells and Chesterton, in permitting infinity to enter and distort his imagination, he has lifted fiction away from the flat earth where most of our novels and short stories still take place.” —John Updike

“When I read a good book, I sometimes like to think I might be capable of writing something similar, but never, in my wildest dreams, could I write anything that approaches the level of cleverness and intellect and madness of Borges. I don’t think anyone could.” —Daniel Radcliffe

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!

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.