Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Our reads for June are a collection of stories, Labyrinths: Selected Stories & Other Writings by Jorge Luis Borges.

Wikipedia:
André Maurois in the Preface of Labyrinths provides a critical overview of Borges' work. He makes three main points: first, that Borges was highly influenced by his wide and obscure reading, making the assertion that, "His sources are innumerable and unexpected. Borges has read everything, and especially what nobody reads any more: the Cabalists, the Alexandrine Greeks, medieval philosophers. His erudition is not profound ― he asks of it only flashes of lightning and ideas ― but it is vast.". Second, that Borges has many precursors, but is in the end, almost entirely unique - "... once these relationships are pointed out, it must be said that Borges's style is, like his thought, highly original". In this Maurois notes that to some extent, "'Every writer creates his own precursors'", finally noting that Borges' stories can be described by "'an absurd postulate developed to its extreme logical consequences'", making "a game for [Borges'] mind". This, he claims, reflects Borges' interest in metaphysics and philosophy, and leads to his style of magical realism.

I find his work fascinating and varied-you never know what to expect!

I also love Borges' uniqueness, originality and how he twists the perception and you get introduced to the story from a totally different point of view.
For example, the "House of Asterion" had a really great cathartic, revelating effect on me, once I figured out that the story is about the Minotaur of Crete. But also, other stories had similar effect on me, like the Immortal.
Some stories are a bit hard to follow, but his style is unsurpassed, so it is worth to follow them up and research a bit more to get to the point.

I read the Ficciones and the Aleph stories, which pretty much sums up the stories from this collection, but I will also read the Parables and Essays, which are left to finish this book.

I've read Labyrinths: Selected Stories & Other Writings as well. He's a fascinating writer.

I'm so glad this thread has started! I realized only in May or so that NTLTRC was reading this for June. I've had Labyrinths (Modern Library) among my books for a couple decades now and have only sampled a couple stories from it a long time ago; it was the perfect opportunity for me to sneak this volume to the top of my queue and really, finally spend some time with Borges.

I'm planning on posting a review to my profile, but wanted to engage with others here first. Does anyone here have a favorite among the stories? Mine was certainly The Immortal. The only other stories (or "premises") of Borges that remained with me from my earlier reading were things like Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius and The Library of Babel -- both of which appeal to my sensibilities -- but in my view the The Immortal is on a different level.

Also, did anyone read Borges' essays included in this volume? Or the parables? I found the essays insightful, particularly Kafka and his Precursors, whence the idea that "every writer creates his own precursors" originates.

It's been a while since I read the book, so maybe it's time for a reread-at least of The Immortal.