Borges and Me

Longlisted for the Highland Book Prize

Set against the majestic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, Borges and Me by Jay Parini is a captivating memoir that chronicles an unlikely and transformative journey. In the turbulent 1970s, Jay Parini, a young American draft dodger, escapes the looming shadow of the Vietnam War by fleeing to Scotland. Amidst his search for solace and direction, fate intervenes, and he crosses paths with the legendary Argentinian author, Jorge Luis Borges.

An eccentric and enchanting character, the elderly and blind Borges is steeped in the rich traditions of Western literature. He takes Parini under his wing, and together they embark on a surreal, yet profoundly enlightening road trip through the Highlands. The journey is imbued with literary allusions and philosophical musings, as Borges regales Parini with tales of love, poetry, and the essence of life itself. Along their travels, the dynamic between the fledgling writer and the seasoned literary giant evolves, cultivating a poignant and profound mentorship.

Borges and Me transcends the typical road novel genre. Parini skilfully interweaves his own narrative with a broader exploration of an era characterised by its uncertainties, mirroring the tumultuous nature of contemporary times. The memoir is a testament to the timeless bond between the old and the young, and to the enduring power of storytelling and dreams.

'For readers who already admire Borges, this memoir will be a delicious treat. For those who have yet to read him, Parini provides the perfect entry point to a writer who altered the way many think of literature' - New York Times

'This is a jewel of a book. Very funny, clever, moving, luminous with love of literature and landscape. Parini's portrait of both Borges and Scotland is exquisite, deeply affectionate, sometimes comically irritable ... It's hard to conceive of how an old and frail blind man could have had such psychological force, such unworldly innocence, such redeeming sway over others, but Jay Parini persuades us fabulously in a high-style Borgesian marriage of fiction and history' - Ian McEwan

Ultimately, Borges and Me is more than just a memoir; it is a tribute to the symbiotic relationship between mentor and protégé, a love letter to the sprawling landscapes of Scotland, and a profound reflection on the enduring impact of literary heritage. Whether you are a seasoned Borges aficionado or a newcomer to his works, Parini’s narrative promises to enchant and inspire, offering a resonant exploration of life's profound mysteries.