I Always Thought of Paradise as a Library
"I Always Thought of Paradise as a Library" is a short story by Jorge Luis Borges that explores the idea of paradise as an infinite library filled with all possible books. The narrator describes his own personal paradise, which consists of endless shelves of books and the freedom to read them at leisure. He reflects on the nature of time and eternity in relation to this concept of paradise, ultimately concluding that it is a state of mind rather than a physical place.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1982 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Essay · 9,246 words
First lines
New York PEN Club, March 1980
I knew that my destiny would be to read, to dream, well, perhaps to write, but that was not essential. And I always thought of paradise as a library, not as a garden. We also have been created by Edgar Allan Poe, that splendid dreamer, that sad dreamer, that tragic dreamer. ALASTAIR REID: You once said in London - and I was sitting beside you on the occasion in 1970 - that all great literature eventually became children's literature and you hoped in the long run your work would be read by children. Would you like to amplify that?
What this Textopian page supports
I Always Thought of Paradise as a Library is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1982 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Jorge Luis Borges
- Date: 1982 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Essay, Autobiographical, Interview
- Length: 9,246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 297 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for I Always Thought of Paradise as a Library by Jorge Luis Borges
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering I Always Thought of Paradise as a Library?
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Similar titles
- But I Prefer Dreaming by Jorge Luis Borges
- Ad Atticum by Stephen Vincent Benet
- A Writer Is Waiting For His Own Work by Jorge Luis Borges
- Time Is The Essential Mystery by Jorge Luis Borges
- On Books by Charles Kingsley
- I Stand Simply For The Thing I Am by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes and philosophical ideas, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into existential questions and philosophical musings, typical of philosophical fiction.
- Essay — The format and style resemble an essay, with reflective and analytical discourse.
- Autobiographical — The narrative includes personal reflections and experiences, aligning with autobiographical writing.
Tags
literature · library · paradise · philosophy · imagination · books · knowledge · wisdom · narrative · metafiction · existentialism · culture