Status Updates From Alef

Deutsches Requiem - one of the most powerful and bone-chilling one’s I’ve read. A nazi trying to justify his atrocities in a truly terrifying way. “Let heaven exist, though our place be in hell.” The idea that these horrible acts of history are sacrifices for some greater victory, it’s a terrible thought.

Averroës’ Search - didn’t really get this one. A bit thought provoking but just not my fav

The Other Death - not my favorite but pretty decent. Just didn’t feel like it had much depth, but I liked the narration.

Emma Zunz - great one. The character and circumstances felt so real. Uhh the writing is just so good. In such a short time I was so invested and the stories always have such a nice conclusion. Even if I might not have a cohesive theme now, it will surely be something that will stick in my head.

The House of Asterion - didnt understand this one. I liked the writing tho.

A Biography of Tadeo Isidoro Cruz - I liked this one. Some powerful lines in it. The idea that a whole life culminates in a single moment of understanding of the self, pretty powerful.

“Miro mi cara en el espejo para saber quién soy, para saber cómo me portar é dentro de unas horas, cuando me enfrente al fin. Mi carne puede tener miedo; yo, no.”

Story of the warrior and the captive maiden - pretty good. Borges, I can tell, likes to explore these themes of unity: that all people are one and the same. I like this theme a lot. It’s especially clear in the way that the characters of this story come not to be defined by their identities (region, race, allegiance) but by their shared destruction of such identities.