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On Argentina

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On Argentina by Alfred MacAdam, Jorge Luis Borges, and Suzanne Jill Levine seems to be a collection of essays and writings focused on Argentina, its culture, landscape, and renowned literary figures such as Borges and Julio Cortazar. The book appears to delve into the rich literary tradition of Argentina, exploring the works of influential authors and their impact on the global literary scene. The writing style is described as baroque and inaccessible at times, with a focus on idea-based, weird short stories and exploring philosophical concepts through short stories.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features complex and baroque prose, with translations that can be muddy at times.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative consists of essays focused on Argentina, examining its culture, landscape, and historical context.

Setting:

The setting revolves around Argentina, particularly its cultural and historical landscape from around the early to mid-20th century.

Pacing:

The pacing varies due to the nature of essays, which can sometimes feel dense but remains engaging.

Notes:

On Argentina contains previously untranslated essays mostly about Borges' homeland.
The translation of Borges' works can be muddy because his early Spanish prose is complex and baroque.
Many find Borges' essays phenomenal; it's recommended to read Selected Non Fictions first.
Argentina has a rich cultural influence despite not being the largest Latin American country.
Argentine rock is a prominently recognized music genre, similar to bossa nova from Brazil.
Argentina has produced notable boxing champions, including two of the greatest middleweights and flyweights.
Borges is a celebrated author known for his short stories, while Cortázar is famed among contemporary readers.
Silvina Ocampo's literature is complex and invites readers into fantasy and imagination.
Juan Jose Saer's El rio sin orillas offers a deep analysis of Argentina's foundational myths and history.
Borges' personal political views have been controversial, as he supported oppressive regimes early on.
Many people are drawn to Borges after encountering his works in school or through popular literature.
The Day of the Reader honors Borges' passion for reading and literature in Argentina.
Argentina has produced many revered authors, including Victoria Ocampo and Alfonsina Storni.
Despite his focus on diverse settings, Borges remains central to Argentine literature.
Borges' impact on literature is compared to that of Nabokov for Russia and Calvino for Italy.

From The Publisher:

A literary guide to Argentina by its most famous writer

Jorge Luis Borges wrote about Argentina as only someone passionate about his homeland can. On Argentina reveals the many facets of his passion in essays, poems, and stories through which he sought to bring Argentina forward on the world stage, and to do for Buenos Aires what James Joyce did for Dublin.

In colorful pieces on the tango and the gaucho, on the card game truco, and on the criollos (immigrants from Spain) and compadritos (street-corner thugs), we gain insight not only into unique aspects of Argentine culture but also into the intellect and values of one of Latin America's most influential writers. Featuring material available in English for the first time, this unprecedented collection is an invaluable literary and travel companion for devotees of both Borges and Argentina.

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