Reviews

This is a brilliant book. It's great to read a literary (rather than historic) exploration of imaginary animals coming from myths, stories and books from all over the world. None is more important than the other, they are all equal. Refreshing.

The most interesting chapters to me were the non-mythological ones, like the animals imagined by Kafka - most mythology I'd heard of, and reading about fauna eponymous people have come up with is fascinating.

But it's such a shame Borges didn't take the opportunity to add some figments of his own brilliant imagination to this book, among the "real" ones. That is what the book is missing.

Among them we find: the Upland Trout, which nests in trees and is scared of water. The Heavenly Cock, from which all roosters on earth come. The thirty-six righteous men known as the Lamed Wufniks (unbeknownst to them, they are the secret pillars of the universe - if it wasn't for all 36, God would destroy humanity). The mountain Hui, which looks like a dog with a human head. Condillac's sensitive statue and Lotze's hypothetical animal. The animal with the big tail that's trying to tame Kafka's narrator.

It is the animal with the big tail, a tail many yards long and like a fox's brush. How I should like to get my hand on its tail some time, but it is impossible, the animal is constantly moving about, the tail is constantly being flung this way and that. The animal resembles a kangaroo, but not as to the face, which is flat almost like a human face, and small and oval; only its teeth have any power of expression, whether they are concealed or bared. Sometimes I have a feeling the animal is trying to tame me. What other purpose could it have in withdrawing its tail when I snatch at it, and then again waiting calmly until I am tempted again, and then leaping away once more?

lapsedmarxist's review against another edition

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4.75

borges is erudite as ever. having only ever read his nonfiction works i was not sure what to expect. needless to say, i was pleasantly surprised. the uniqueness of his characters and environments is borderline indescribable. reading borges is such a personal experience especially when it comes to these very short stories. my two favorites from this collection of short stories are animals that live in the mirror and the offspring of leviathan. absolutely brilliant, both of them. the existential elements in his writings is undeniable. the tales and ideas are so compelling and powerful it’s genius writing all throughout.

thoughton98's review against another edition

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4.0

An intriguing text that compiles a number of extracts from different texts and sources about a menagerie of mythological creatures. Aside from the cliched regulars like dragons and unicorns, there are also detailed accounts of lesser-known fantasy beasts such as the zaratan, oni and ouroboros. If you are interested in the origins of mythological creatures, this is the book for you.

stephen_baird's review against another edition

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4.0

In 2018 (and still continuing now) I had set myself a challenge to read more books that were seen as classics (or by authors who are seen as authors to read) and more books that had been translated into English.
The Book of Imaginary Beings fits nicely into both categories.

Ostensibly a short survey of mythical and imaginary beings from around the world, collected by Borges and then revised, enlarged and translated by Norman Thomas di Giovanni in collaboration with Borges, this becomes much more when enlivened by Borges prose.

Beautifully descriptive and humorous, Borges weaves the tales into a cohesive whole in this modern bestiary.