The Shaggy Beast of La Ferté-Bernard
This work is a short story that explores the concept of identity and reality through the tale of a shaggy beast that appears in a small French town. The narrative is presented as a series of fragmented accounts from various individuals who claim to have seen or interacted with the creature, but their descriptions are contradictory and unreliable. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the beast's existence is not what it seems, and its true nature is revealed through a series of clever plot twists. The narrative ultimately blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, leaving the reader to question what is real and what is merely a product of human imagination. The story raises questions about the nature of truth and how it can be perceived differently by different people. It also explores the idea that our perceptions of reality are shaped by our individual experiences and biases, and that these perceptions can be unreliable and subject to change. Ultimately, the story presents a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, challenging readers to think critically about the nature of reality and their place within it.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1957 · Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Horror · 279 words
First lines
Along the banks of the Huisne, an otherwise peaceful stream, there roamed during the Middle Ages a creature that became known as the Shaggy Beast (La velue). This animal had somehow managed to survive the Flood despite its exclusion from the Ark. It was the size of a bull, and it had a snake's head and a round body buried under long green fur. The fur was armed with stingers whose wound was deadly.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shaggy Beast of La Ferté-Bernard is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1957 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: 1957 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Folklore, Horror, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 279 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Shaggy Beast of La Ferté-Bernard by Jorge Luis Borges
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative features mythical creatures and fantastical elements, such as a beast with supernatural abilities and a legendary backstory.
- Folklore — The story is set in the Middle Ages and involves a mythical creature, resembling traditional folklore tales passed down through generations.
- Horror — The presence of a deadly beast that devours maidens and children, along with its ability to cause destruction, aligns with horror themes.
- Adventure — The plot includes a quest to track and defeat the beast, involving action and bravery typical of adventure stories.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Metaphysical Novel · Existentialism · Absurdism · French Setting · Symbolic Storytelling · Mythological Allusions · Fable · Paradoxical Plot · Time and Space Manipulation · Reality Distortion · Dreamlike Narrative