Admittedly, this is my first exposure to Borges. I think I've found a favorite new author. I was quickly aware of the magical realism in this story, although I'm really just passingly aware of its existence. So, it turns out Borges is essentially a pioneer of the genre.
While looking up other references to the Aleph (the phenomenon, not the short story or letter), I found myself drawn into Borges' Wikipedia article. I found the Aleph fascinating, not only because of the surreal/mystical potentialities, but also because of the era in which it was written.
Structurally, I'm fascinated by the tension Borges creates in the story. While the author focuses at first on Beatriz Viterbo, wistfully remembering her, he seems drawn to her pompous cousin Carlos in a conflicted manner. His amazement at the Aleph is similarly conflicted; despite the revelations it presents; he calls it a 'false Aleph,' and then presents of us with 'proof' of similar objects from literature and history, which he seems to prefer.
Clearly, I'll need to revisit this story again to see what else it reveals. Also, this.
A new fave?! Awesome!!
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