Diálogos borgianos: Intertextualidade e imaginário nacional na obra de Jorge Luis Borges e de Antonio Fernando Borges (review)

Luciana Namorato brings to light a new side of Jorge Luis Borges by presenting another Borges, the Brazilian Antonio Fernando Borges as some sort of continuing Borgian creation.

In her "Introdução," Namorato explains that the publication of Memorial de Buenos Aires (2006) is part of a trilogy in which the Brazilian Borges borrows some of the traditional themes discussed by Jorge Luis Borges in his work. Her research is well outlined and is divided into four chapters that, in turn, have subdivisions. The sections are also divided into smaller sections, but they are too numerous to be listed here, especially since they are not listed on the list of contents ("Sumário").

Namorato's first chapter, "Jorge Luis Borges: Escritura, leitura e identidade nacional," has two main sections: "O papel da influência estrangeira na criação de uma identidad argentina" and "Um escritor na biblioteca: a escritura e a leitura de acordo com Jorge Luis Borges." In this chapter, the author starts by reviewing the question of national identity in Argentine culture, the role of Modernism and Vanguardism in shaping that idea, and the role that Jorge Luis Borges had in developing it, including a section on how he brought innovation to the tradition in his country.

Chapter 2, "A dinâmica da autoria: redefinindo os conceitos de originalidade e plágio," with its two main sections, "O conceito de originalidade e suas transformações" and "A sociedade brasileira no início do século XX," delves into the issue of originality and plagiarism, using the concept of cannibalism from the Brazilian Modernist Movement. In this chapter, Namorato suggests that Antonio Fernando Borges can also be dialoguing with another Brazilian author, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis. She presents research that shows that the connections between Machado de Assis and Jorge Luis Borges have already been made.

Chapter 3, "Antonio Fernando Borges: Canibal de Jorge Luis Borges?" and the sections "A escrita como um ato de canibalismo: Individualidade, despersonalização e o papel dos predecessores" and "A intertextualidade em Que fim levou Brodie?," attempt to answer this question. The researcher presents many arguments, citing examples of the authors' texts. It would be easier for the readers if they had read the authors themselves since, given the scope of the work, Namorato does not present many quotes or excerpts.

The last chapter, "Memorial de Buenos Aires: Resgatando os (não) tempos de Jorge Luis Borges," is the largest one with numerous sections. In this chapter, more about the Argentine author is presented and some of the appropriations that the Brazilian one has made of his work. This is done by discussing the book Memorial de Buenos Aires by Antonio Fernando Borges. The researcher shows how the Brazilian Borges utilizes some of the Argentine's studies. Even in the title, the reader can feel Jorge Luis Borges's inspiration, maybe from Fervor de Buenos Aires. The study of time according to Jorge Luis Borges is reviewed, as well as the topic of identity. Another idea discussed is how the intertextuality that already exists in Jorge Luis Borges presents an open invitation for future writers to do the same with his books.

In her "Conclusão," Namorato reinforces the idea of a literary dialogue between the two authors and the way those shared ideas can make their respective works richer.

The last section, which is very helpful, is "Referências bibliográficas," in which we not only see the extensive work supporting this research, but which also gives more ideas for scholars interested in pursuing this comparative path. The book is well written and carefully revised. However, some minor mistakes were found on pages 39 ("o narrador de 'Pierre Menard' in Essa confissão"), 79 ("os dados levantado) and 121 ("já qu universo"). It would have helped if all the subsections...