Natalya Gornopolskaya

Blog by Natalya Gornopolskaya
“The Book of Sand”

“The Book of Sand” is the story of how Borges came to be the owner of a vast infinite novel called The Book of Sand. This story focuses on the theme of a labyrinth which is prominent throughout this entire book. A poor bible salesman comes into Borges’s apartment hoping to sell him something. When Borges shows no interest in purchasing a Bible the man pulls out The Book of Sand, a rare, limitless novel which contains no beginning or end. Borges is intrigued by this book and makes a quick trade in exchange for the novel. The novel turns out to be a menace to Borges. The only thing he can do is attempt to find order in his very disorderly new novel. He has been at it for months and to no avail. Borges’s obsession draws a parallel to Johnny Truant, who also works tirelessly to complete a disorganized manuscript. This book now taunts and debilitates him. Because he can’t grasp the power this book has over him, he decides that the best thing to do is to hide it high in the shelf of a library. Though he still feels anxious when he walks near this library, his decision was made for the best. I thought this story was very straightforward and interesting. I think it would be wonderful to find such a book even if it is impossible to read, it can still do something powerful to the mind.