It’s quite exciting to realise that I’m now drawing ever closer to having completed my read of the lovely Penguin Moderns box set which I’ve been making my way through since 2018! I’m now up to books 45 and 46 of 50, and both are by authors I’ve read before. Each of these Moderns was a treasure in its own right, despite the differences in the authors and settings, and in both cases I knew I was in the hands of a master storyteller.
Penguin Modern 45 – The Haunted Boy by Carson McCullers
McCullers needs no introduction here, and I know I’ve read at least one of her works “The Ballad of the Sad Cafe”; that was well pre-blog, and I suspect I no longer have my copy, but interestingly two of the stories featured in this Modern were in that collection. Needless to say, I could remember nothing…
The three stories are the title one, The Sojourner and A Domestic Dilemma (it’s the latter two which feature in “Sad Cafe”). McCullers’ work is described as Southern Gothic and certainly there’s a darkness at the heart of all of these tales. The opener features a young boy who is nervous about going home on his own after school; he insists a friend comes with him, trying to hide his anxiety, and only gradually does the story reveal the reasons for his concerns and past events which have caused this. In “The Sojourner”, a man encounters his ex-wife and her new husband plus their child, and reviews his life and the direction he’s taken. And “A Domestic Dilemma” explores the problems faced by a family with young children when the mother takes to drink.
The twilight border between sleep and waking was a Roman one this morning: splashing fountains and arched, narrow streets, the golden lavish city of blossoms and age-soft stone. Sometimes in this semi-consciousness he sojourned again in Paris, or war German rubble, or Swiss ski-ing and a snow hotel… Rome it was this morning in the yearless region of dreams.
All three stories are powerful pieces of fiction, beautifully written and capturing the tensions of everyday life, the difficulties of keeping a family balanced and, I think, underlying much of these narratives is the emotional strain on women in holding things together and the toll being a mother can take. McCullers is a superb writer, her narrative sympathetically negotiating the complexities of love, life, sorrows and the choices we make, and I suspect I didn’t appreciate her work enough when I first read it. Definitely an author I need to revisit!
Penguin Modern 46 – The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges
Again, Borges needs no introduction; a much-loved favourite of mine, he’s featured many times on the Ramblings as I gradually read my way through his collection fictions (as well as a number of side projects!) Modern 46 draw five stories from his collected short stories; the title one, considered his best by many, as well as The Book of Sand, The Circular Ruins, On Exactitude in Science and Death and the Compass. Of these, I have read three before, but not Sand or Exactitude; however, I’m always happy to read and re-read any Borges so this Modern was, of course, a great pleasure.
Beneath English trees I meditated on that lost maze: I imagined it inviolate and perfect at the secret crest of a mountain; I imagined it erased by rice fields or beneath the water; I imagined it infinite, no longer composed of octagonal kiosks and returning paths, but the rivers and provinces and kingdoms… I thought of a labyrinth of labyrinths, one sinuous spreading labyrinth that would encompass the past and the future and in some way involved the stars.
What to say specifically? Forking Paths is a most compelling story with a very clever and unexpected end; Sand was a particular joy, exploring as it does a very singular kind of book; Circular has a mythological bent; Exactitude is a short piece riffing on maps; and Compass is a quite brilliant kind of detective story (although with much, much more to it than that) which again twists brilliantly at the end.
As you might guess, these stories are just magnificent, and actually this little Modern would be a great way to give Borges a try and see what you thought of him. He creates a world of his own, full of strange mythologies, labyrinths and twisted tales of detecting and they have a flavour all of their own, unlike any other author I can name. The stories here are translated by Donald A. Yates, Andrew Hurley and James E. Irby, and I salute them! Happily, I still have some collections remaining unread in my chunky big volume of all his short stories (including the “Book of Sand” collection); plenty more Borges to come then, but in the meantime this Modern was a lovely treat!
*****
As you can see, I loved both of these Moderns; despite the different settings, subject matter and style of the authors, they were both completely in control of their narratives and created some unforgettable stories, settings and characters. In many ways, I shall be sad to come to an end of my reading of the Penguin Modern box set – these little books have been such a joy!
Tredynas Days
Mar 25, 2022 @ 08:30:30
It’s a while since I read these authors. Must go back to them. So different in style and themes; I find B thrilling but cerebral.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 25, 2022 @ 15:18:54
Yes, both very different but both so good! Borges is astonishing, I think – I never know where his writing is going to take me!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Mar 25, 2022 @ 10:08:08
Lovely review as always, Kaggsy; makes me want to drop everything and read these two works immediately! Since I’ve not read any Borges at all, I much appreciate learning that this Modern would be a great way to try his work. As for McCullers, I read her novel, Member of the Wedding, many (add some repetitions to “many”) years ago. Although I didn’t dislike it, I wasn’t wowed; but then, I read it during that stage when I was racing through novels just to say I’d read them (I was really young). She’s one of those writers whose long been due for a reassessment, as far as I’m concerned; these stories sound like a nice way to go.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 25, 2022 @ 15:18:15
Thank you! I can definitely recommend dipping into Borges if you can. He’s such a unique author and this would definitely give you a flavour of his writing. As for McCullers, I suspect as you say that I was too young when I first read her – her writing is really so atmospheric and perhaps melancholic here. As a younger reader, and yes! racing through books, I don’t think I did her justice.
Margot Kinberg
Mar 25, 2022 @ 11:11:56
McCullers and Borges? Little wonder you loved these as much as you did. I’ve liked Borges since I studied his work at uni. And when I was just getting started teaching, we did a couple of his stories in class. I haven’t tried McCullers’ short stories (just her novels), but they sound great, and I’ve always liked the insight she gives on life in the American South.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 25, 2022 @ 15:16:44
I know, what a pairing! Borges has been a longtime favourite, and I’m always astonished all over again when I read him. As for McCullers, I really need to explore further as she was obviously such a good writer!
Calmgrove
Mar 25, 2022 @ 11:35:02
I read some of the McCullers stories recently (and I agree with you on how powerful they are) but apart from the odd reread of a short story whenever some novel or other reminded me of it I haven’t read JLB in depth in ages, and I really should return to his dizzying perspectives. Great job, Karen, as usual!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 25, 2022 @ 15:15:42
Thanks! McCullers certainly impressed me; as for Borges, I can never get too much of him. Always unexpected!
Cathy746books
Mar 25, 2022 @ 13:44:55
I’ve read all of McCullers novels (studied her at Uni) but not her stories, so would be very keen to read this.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 25, 2022 @ 15:14:59
The stories are certainly atmospheric and full of impact – makes me keen to explore her longer works!
Julé Cunningham
Mar 26, 2022 @ 00:58:07
Ooo, you’re so close to finishing up this reading project! And two outstanding authors too, it must have been an especially welcome read in this very busy month for you.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 26, 2022 @ 13:49:36
Yes! The end is in sight! These were a wonderful and easily digested distraction – the month *has* been particularly horrible and I’ve struggled at times to read. Roll on the Easter hols…
madamebibilophile
Mar 26, 2022 @ 11:21:54
Such an interesting pairing Kaggsy! I really like McCullers but I’m yet to read Borges. I admire how you’re nearly at the end of the project, I fear if I’d had the collection I’d admire them sitting on the shelf looking pretty, thinking “I really must get to those one day…”!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 26, 2022 @ 13:48:45
It *is* tempting just to gaze lovingly at the set, but it does bring rewards too! I’m so keen to get to the end of the challenge, but I *will* miss them!!
JacquiWine
Mar 26, 2022 @ 11:54:15
Lovely reviews as ever, Karen, and well done on your progress through the Penguin Moderns – you’re in the home stretch now! I’ve read a couple of Carson McCullers’ novels but none of her stories, so I’ll keep an eye out for The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (which overlaps with your Penguin Modern). It’s the compassion / humanity in her writing that springs to mind when I think of the novels, despite the gritty subject matter.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 26, 2022 @ 13:42:12
Thanks Jacqui! Yes – I’m very motivated to actually *finish* one of my Penguin challenges so will hopefully pick up another pair soon!
As for McCullers, I totally agree with you – there’s a deep compassion for her characters in these stories and I suspect I didn’t appreciate the qualities of her writing when I read her at a younger age. Definitely an author I need to explore!
1streading
Mar 26, 2022 @ 16:55:52
These both sound great – Borges is always due another read, but I have never read anything by Carson McCullers and frequently feel I should really remedy this!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2022 @ 11:31:02
I was surprised how much I enjoyed McCullers because I didn’t have particularly strong memories of my first read of her work. But that was a while back and I reckon I appreciate her work more now!
Liz Dexter
Mar 26, 2022 @ 18:15:43
A lovely pair and I can’t believe you’re nearly done with this project now – well done!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2022 @ 11:30:13
I know! The end is in sight!!!!
heavenali
Mar 26, 2022 @ 21:20:20
Never read either McCullers or Borges, but the McCullers especially appeals. That term Southern Gothic is very evocative, those stories sound really atmospheric. She sounds like an interesting writer.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2022 @ 11:30:02
I think McCullers would definitely be an author you’d like, Ali – and short stories are always a good way to find out if you want to explore their work further!
Bellezza
Mar 26, 2022 @ 22:49:08
Your set of “Moderns” reminds me of my little black “Classics”, of which I’ve only read a scattering. I am newly motivated to finish the box, as you are doing with yours.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2022 @ 11:29:20
Oh, I’m jealous if you have the black classics box, as I only have a scattered handful! They’re such fun, as are the moderns – I love a good Penguin!
lauratfrey
Mar 26, 2022 @ 23:56:51
I haven’t read Borges since I was made to in high school, it’s probably high time I revisted!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2022 @ 11:28:40
Definitely! He has such a unique voice and way of writing!
BookerTalk
Mar 27, 2022 @ 16:09:52
There’s a feeling of satisfaction when you complete a significant project like this. But part of me also feels sad that it’s over.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2022 @ 18:16:02
Yes, very much so – I will be so pleased to get to the end but will really miss the Moderns!!
Marcie McCauley
Mar 30, 2022 @ 22:22:11
I was just leafing through a volume of McCullers last night, thinking how nice it would be to simply start at the beginning and read straight through: she’s so precise and so evocative.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 31, 2022 @ 09:48:28
She is – such wonderful prose, and most evocative!