This is unreal. Not what I thought at all, but a path that Borges rolls out to ponder at each step. It is impossible to comment on this story before reading it much, much deeper, except to perhaps cover some of the Borges technique.
This tale is also based upon an author writing a book, and this seems to be a large part of the theme of Borges within this anthology. His confounded labyrinth brings us back to a character in a prior story, that of Jaromar Hladik, the executed man of The Secret Miracle. Borges refers to Hladik’s work in a footnote in this story, once more crossing the borders of fiction–although does it? Fiction includes all that is real and there is no reason not to include what is not but to present it as such.
The basis of this story is the protagonist’s, an author named Nils Runeberg, research and consequent writings on the true nature of Jesus and the apostle Judas. In logical progression–which is how one should approach a journey through a maze–he considers and discards many theories as to why Judas betrayed Christ. But Borges doesn’t grant him the rather simple plot that I had remembered, but in his on manner, comes up with one so outrageous, and yet so, well, logical that it can be a theological and philosophical argument and hold its own.
God’s appearance on earth was not Jesus, but another (can’t spoil this for anyone–it’s too good!). The theory is based upon God’s intent to come as man; perfection and goodness is in conflict with man’s nature (Ah, another evil versus good believer!) and quite honestly, all written of the life of Jesus doesn’t truly make it sound like he blends in well with the locals. As God, he really wouldn’t need to use Judas to force a betrayal either.
So Borges makes sense. The further I go into Ficciones the more I find this to be true. Perhaps I should be worried?
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
Please tell me more about this story!!!