BORGES ON WRITING (First UK edition - wrappers issue)

Edited by Norman Thomas di Giovanni, Daniel Halpern, Frank MacShane (Jorge Luis Borges)

ISBN 10: 071390447X / ISBN 13: 9780713904475

Published by Allen Lane (Penguin Books), London, 1972

About this Item

First impression of the first UK paperback edition - published simultaneously with a hardback edition. With a seven page introduction by the editors. Translated from the Spanish by Frank Macshane. Preceded by the first American edition which was published by E.P. Dutton in 1973. ***Very good in colour-illustrated card covers. Edges of covers just lightly rubbed and creased. Spine faded. Internally near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean. No foxing. ***198mm x 132 mm. 173 pages including index to rear. ***'In 1971 Borges was invited to preside over a series of seminars on his writing at Columbia University. This book is a record of those seminars, which took the form of informal discussions between Borges, Norman Thomas di Giovanni, his editor and translator, Frank MacShane, head of the department of creative writing at Columbia, and the students. ***The book is divided into three separate sections: on prose, poetry, and translation. ---Borges is probably the supreme verbal craftsman alive today. This book provides a revealing insight into the inspiration and method of his writing. (Quote taken from the back cover) ***First impression of the wrappers issue of the first UK edition. Both the hardcover and wrappers issues are uncommon. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller Inventory # 4383z

Bibliographic Details

• Title: BORGES ON WRITING (First UK edition - wrappers issue)
• Publisher: Allen Lane (Penguin Books), London
• Publication Date: 1972
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071390447X
• ISBN 13: 9780713904475
• Binding: Original Wraps
• Edition: First UK Paperback Edition
• Printing: First Impression
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket, as Issued
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • First Editions

About this title

Synopsis

In 1971, Jorge Luis Borges was invited to preside over a series of seminars on his writing at Columbia University. This book is a record of those seminars, which took the form of informal discussions between Borges, Norman Thomas di Giovanni--his editor and translator, Frank MacShane--then head of the writing program at Columbia, and the students. Borges's prose, poetry, and translations are handled separately and the book is divided accordingly. The prose seminar is based on a line-by-line discussion of one of Borges's most distinctive stories, "The End of the Duel." Borges explains how he wrote the story, his use of local knowledge, and his characteristic method of relating violent events in a precise and ironic way. This close analysis of his methods produces some illuminating observations on the role of the writer and the function of literature. The poetry section begins with some general remarks by Borges on the need for form and structure and moves into a revealing analysis of four of his poems. The final section, on translation, is an exciting discussion of how the art and culture of one country can be "translated" into the language of another. This book is a tribute to the brilliant craftsmanship of one of South America's--indeed, the world's--most distinguished writers and provides valuable insight into his inspiration and his method.

About the Author

Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) es uno de los escritores más destacados del siglo veinte. Sus obras incluyen cuentos, poesía y ensayos. Fue director de la Biblioteca Nacional en Argentina por dieciocho años y, en el ínterin, fue nombrado doctor honoris causa por la Universidad de Columbia y la Universidad de Oxford, entre otras. Borges fue galardonado con numerosos premios literarios en el transcurso de su carrera, entre los cuales se encuentra el Premio Internacional de Literatura que compartió con Samuel Beckett, otorgado por el Congreso Internacional de Editores en Formentor, Mallorca.