The Book of Imaginary Beings

Read from Monday, July 18th to Tuesday, July 19th.

The Book of Imaginary Beings, by Jorge Luis Borges.  I loved this simple anthology of all the imaginary, mythical creatures that the world has thought up in its history.  It spans all cultures and races, from Hindu, to Chinese, to Native American, Medieval, South American and even Wisconsin Logger.  The creatures come from Greek and Roman myths, from folklore, from religious books, and even from other contemporary writers like Kafka, C.S. Lewis and Edgar Allen Poe.  Over 140 creatures were listed with a page or two of description, both of what the creature looks like, how it acts, and how it is placed in the cultural history of mankind.

Of course it is always interesting to read about the creatures that you knew growing up.  There are dwarves, dragons, unicorns, faeries, elves and the Cheshire cat.  But some of my favorite creatures were the darker ones I had not heard of in detail before.  Creatures that could turn you to stone if you look at it, dogs that guard the gates of hell and devour those trying to escape.  Fish that hold the entire world on their back.  Banshees that scream at night, salamanders that live in fire, and Angels seen by a man who supposedly died for a short time.  The A Bao A Qu is a creature that lives in a tower, and as it follows the traveler up the steps of the tower, it slowly regains its true form and magnificence, only to disappear again when the traveler descends. 

I love Borges' writing style.  How he makes myths and fantasy (though I hate to use that word) come to life and sound realistic and enthralling.  These creatures, though just a compendium meant to browse through, fit in easily with this style.  I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and I want to encourage young readers to get lost in the world of these imaginary beings.  Four out of five stars.