When writers die they become books, which is, after all, not too bad an incarnation

When writers die they become books, which is, after all, not too bad an incarnation

Jorge Luis Borges, the renowned Argentine writer, poet, and essayist, is often considered one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. His works are known for their intricate and labyrinthine narratives, blending elements of fantasy, philosophy, and metafiction. Borges was fascinated by the idea of immortality through literature, and the concept of writers becoming books after death is a recurring theme in his work.

In Borges' short story "The Library of Babel," he imagines a vast and infinite library that contains every possible book that could ever be written. The librarians in this story spend their lives searching for the one true book that will reveal the meaning of existence. This idea of books as repositories of knowledge and wisdom, and of writers achieving a form of immortality through their works, is central to Borges' philosophy.

For Borges, the act of writing was a way to transcend the limitations of mortality and leave a lasting legacy. In his essay "Kafka and His Precursors," Borges argues that writers are influenced by those who came before them, and in turn, influence those who come after. In this way, writers become part of a continuous chain of literary creation that stretches across time and space.

The idea of writers becoming books after death can be seen as a form of reincarnation, where the essence of the writer lives on through their words. In Borges' story "The Aleph," the protagonist discovers a point in space that contains all other points, allowing him to see the entire universe in a single instant. This concept of infinite knowledge and interconnectedness is reflected in Borges' belief that writers become immortal through their works, which continue to inspire and influence readers long after they are gone.