The Secret of Borges: A Psychoanalytic Inquiry into His Work [Paperback]

Julio Woscoboinik (Author), Dora Carlisky Pozzi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761812393 | ISBN-13: 978-0761812395 | Publication Date: October 22, 1998 | Edition: 1st Ed. (U.S.)

The Secret of Borges approaches the complex, labyrinthine writings of Jorge Luis Borges from a Freudian perspective. The author searches for connections between the works of Borges by analyzing his writing and gathering information on his life from various sources, including in-depth interviews with those who worked as assistants for the blind writer. This analysis examines in minute detail the writer's style and literary and rhetorical resources, following Borges's path as he evolved from his 'narcissistic solipsism' to the establishment of Oedipal links. The author explores the track of fantasy associations, the treatment of feminine characters in Borges's short stories, the dreams and nightmares constantly retrieved and reiterated through his work, memory, and the challenges of self identification, and the Borgean view of the problem of time.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Julio Woscoboinik is a practicing psychoanalyst in Argentina and a member of the International Association of Psychoanalysis. Dora Carlisky Pozzi is Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Houston.

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America; 1st Ed. (U.S.) edition (October 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761812393
• ISBN-13: 978-0761812395
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,585,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, non-reductionist insights on Borges's work., December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret of Borges: A Psychoanalytic Inquiry into His Work (Paperback)

The complex, labyrinthine writings of Jorge Luis Borges are approached in this book from a Freudian perspective by an Argentine psychoanalyst and writer. Like a detective, Woscoboinik searches for clues, reiterations, bridges between different Borgean works. He avoids free-wheeling imaginative inferences and personal interpretations. In the course of his research he has gathered information on Borges's life from various and sundry sources, including numerous in-depth interviews.

Through close readings of several short stories, Woscoboinik follows Borges's path as he evolved from his "narcissistic solipsism" to the establishment of Oedipal links. He borrows the title of this book from Borges himself, who in "The Sect of the Phoenix" refers to sexual intercourse as "Secreto," understanding it only as an act of procreation. Hence Woscoboinik follows the track of fantasy associations, among them those relating to the "primary scene." Further chapters deal with the treatment of feminine characters in Borges's short stories, with the dreams and nightmares constantly retrieved and reiterated through his work, memory and the challenges of self-identification, and with the Borgean view of the problem of time.

Readers of this book need not have specialized knowledge either of literature or of psychoanalysis. Borges fans will find a respectful, non-reductionist interpretation of his work that will increase their admiration for him.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lo lei en español y me parecio muy logrado, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret of Borges: A Psychoanalytic Inquiry into His Work (Paperback)

Es un libro muy bien escrito y muy respetuoso. Diria que es una investigación muy original de la obra de Borges y que estimula la lectura de Borges No se si se publicara esto porque no esta en ingles.Pero quiero expresar mi admiración por este libro.