Transliterated

The Widow Ching-Pirate by Jorge Luis Borges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A 2011 publication containing five shorts by Jorge Luis Borges, The Widow Ching-Pirate covers some of the author's most influential works. These translated stories come from two of his early 20th century works: Historia Universal de la Infamia and Ficciones . The current edition (translated by Andrew Hurley) includes "The Widow Ching-Pirate," "Monk Eastman, Purveyor of Iniquities," and "The Uncivil Teacher of Court Etiquette Kotsuke no Suke" from A Universal History of Iniquity, as well as "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius" and "Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote" from Fictions.

The first three shorts tell the tales of historically infamous characters that we find in today's popular culture:

In "The Widow Ching-Pirate," Borges tells the tale of the 19th century lady-pirate who controlled a fleet of dangerous pirates in the Pacific. Ching Shih is portrayed as a pirate lord in Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World's End.

The author establishes New York's toughs as a unique class of thug in "Monk Eastman, Purveyor of Iniquities." Monk Eastman has his varied past told in this 1930's short and is the basis for Brendan Gleeson's character in Gangs of New York

The story of the revenge of the 47 Ronin is the third tale from this Penguin Mini Modern Classic. After their leader is compelled to perform Hara-Kiri, 47 samurai seek vengeance against "The Uncivil Teacher of Court Etiquette." This tale is a pop culture favorite and is the basis of 2013's 47 Ronin

The first of Borges' unique stories from Fictions is a thought-provoking first person narrative that should be read at least twice:

After discussing an epigram with the narrator, a man seeks out the source of the quote, revealing a discrepancy between two otherwise identical reference books. A previous discussion about base number systems (specifically duodecimal) with an acquaintance sparks an interest in Vol XI of an encyclopedia at his estate. Part magical realism, part conspiracy, "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius" is an interesting, enjoyable, and highly recommended read.

A transliterator himself, Jorge Luis Borges writes a somewhat accusatory tale in "Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote." Pointing at the disfigurement of an author's original work during transliteration, Borges speaks as a sort of peer-reviewer of a fictitious author.

This book brings together some seriously worthwhile reads from Borges. The great thing is that you can Google most of the stories to find and read them; no purchase necessary. 

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