The Approach to Al-Mu'Tasim by Jorge Luis Borges
This short story revolves around a fictional account of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mu'tasim's encounter with a mysterious figure who claims to be from the future. The narrative explores themes of time travel, free will, and the consequences of human actions. The story delves into the concept of predestination versus free will, raising questions about the nature of reality and the role of fate in shaping human destiny. Through this encounter, the Caliph is forced to confront his own mortality and the limitations of his power. The narrative also touches on the idea that knowledge of future events can be both a blessing and a curse, highlighting the complexities of human understanding and the dangers of unchecked knowledge.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1949 · Genre: Mystery, Allegory, Philosophical Fiction · 2,805 words
First lines
Philip Guedalla informs us that the novel The Approach to al-Mu'tasim by the Bombay barrister Mir Bahadur Ali "is a rather uneasy combination of those Islamic allegories which never fail to impress their own translators, and of that brand of detective stories which inevitably outdoes even Dr. Watson and heightens the horror of human life as it is found in the most respectable boardinghouses of Brighton. " Before him, Mr. Cecil Roberts had blasted Bahadur's book for "its unaccountable double influence of Wilkie Collins and of the famed twelfth-century Persian, Ferid Eddin Attar"-a simple enough observation which Guedalla merely parrots, though in a more angry jargon. Essentially, both reviewers are in agreement, pointing out the book's detective-story mechanism and its undercurrent of mysticism. This hybridization may lead us to suspect a certain kinship with Chesterton; we shall presently find out, however, that no such affinity exists.
Similar titles
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Genres
- Mystery — The book is described as a detective novel with a mechanism akin to detective stories, involving a search for a mysterious figure.
- Allegory — The narrative is an allegorical journey of a soul towards divine union, with symbolic elements representing spiritual quests.
- Philosophical Fiction — The themes explore deep philosophical questions about faith, identity, and the search for meaning.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a vast journey across India, encountering various adventures and challenges.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Short Story Collection · Middle Eastern Setting · Islamic Culture · Historical Fiction · Fantasy Elements · Mystery and Suspense · Literary Experimentation · Symbolism · Allegory · Mythology · Futurism
What this Textopian page supports
The Approach to Al-Mu'Tasim is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1949 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jorge Luis Borges
- Date: 1949 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Allegory, Philosophical Fiction, Adventure, Mysticism
- Length: 2,805 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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