Our next book is Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges

If Jorge Luis Borges had been a computer scientist, he probably would have invented hypertext and the World Wide Web. Instead, being a librarian, he became the leading practitioner of a densely layered imaginistic writing style that has been imitated throughout this century, but has no peer.

Borges is the father of nearly all the titles we read here at the Experimental Literature Book Club. This is not the month to miss.

The library did acquire copies for us, so make sure to grab yours at the Main Library return desk!

We'll be meeting to discuss this book March 19th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Some thoughts about Dhalgren...

Wow. I'm not sure where to start (I think Delany would consider that a literary victory on his part), but I will try:

- Where or what is Bellona?

- What is the Kid's real name?

- How is Kid's state of mind portrayed? Is he insane?

- How are gender roles portrayed in the book?

- Who or what is Roger Calkins? Who or what is Ernest Newboy? What role they play in creation and publication of Kid's poems?

- Did Jack kill Paul Fenster?

- What about the all the sex; is it necessary?

- Dhalgren was begun in 1968. How might the political events of that time influenced its subject matter?

- What are some the other ambiguities that are never resolved (e.g., the red eyes, the scratch on many of the female characters calves, etc.)? Do these have a function within the story?

Here's a literary biography of Delany written by himself under a penname. Towards the end is an extensive bibliography of critical texts dealing with his work.

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We'll be meeting to discuss this book January 15th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.