Argentina | Lecturia

Jorge Luis Borges: The Interloper

The Interloper (La intrusa) is a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, published in 1970 in the book El informe de Brodie. The story is set in Turdera, a town on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and narrates the life of two brothers, Cristián and Eduardo Nilsen, rough cattle drivers united by violence, pride and a strange loyalty. Their bond begins to strain when a woman, Juliana Burgos, enters their lives and upsets the balance that kept them together. A story with a sordid history that portrays life in the Argentine countryside at a time when women were nothing more than objects.

Julio Cortázar: Axolotl

Axolotl is a short story by Julio Cortázar, published in 1956 in the Final del juego (End of the Game) collection. It tells the story of a man’s obsession with axolotls —amphibians native to Mexico also known as ajolotes— that he observes daily in an aquarium in Paris. Fascinated by their stillness and their eyes, the protagonist feels a deep connection with these creatures, perceiving in them a mysterious presence and a latent humanity.

Jorge Luis Borges: The House of Asterion. Summary and analysis

The House of Asterion is a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, published in 1947 in Los Anales de Buenos Aires and later included in El Aleph (1949). It narrates the life of Asterion, a solitary being who inhabits an immense and labyrinthine house. From his perspective, he defends his isolation and describes his games, thoughts, and the strange architecture of his home, where each corridor seems to repeat itself endlessly. Despite his apparent freedom, Asterion longs for the arrival of a redeemer to end his solitude without fully understanding the meaning of his destiny.

Jorge Luis Borges: The House of Asterion

The House of Asterion, a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, published in 1947 in Los Anales de Buenos Aires and later included in the collection El Aleph (1949), explores the life of Asterion, a mythical and enigmatic character who lives in a unique, vast and labyrinthine house. Through a first-person narrative, Asterion describes his solitary existence in this mysterious house, where he entertains himself with various games and reflections while awaiting the arrival of the promised Redeemer.

Julio Cortázar: House Taken Over

In “House Taken Over” by Julio Cortázar, Irene and her brother live in an old, spacious house inherited from their ancestors. The house, full of family memories, is meticulously cared for by both, who lead a routine and quiet life. Irene spends her days knitting while her brother takes care of the housework. One day, strange noises begin to be heard from the farthest part of the house, forcing the siblings to leave certain rooms. The sounds intensify, and the siblings are forced to confine themselves to a smaller section of the house, living in a state of growing unease.

Jorge Luis Borges: The Book of Sand

The Book of Sand (El libro de arena), a story by Jorge Luis Borges published in 1975, tells the story of a man who, in exchange for a valuable Bible and money, acquires a mysterious book of unknown origin and strange characters that seem to have infinite content. As the man tries to understand the nature of the book, he becomes obsessed and isolates himself, which will seriously affect his life.