Maybe it’s “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius”. That story has too many citations and discusses a bunch of theories. The others, even the ones that look like essays [com]cough Pierre Menard and Herbert Quain cough[/com] are an easier read. But there’s a reason for Tlön Uqbar to be the first story in the book: in fact, two reasons there are for that.
[color=#663366]The following lines aren’t spoilers per se, as they do not specifically discuss facts in the plot of any story beyond vague alusions. However, they might in a sense influence your perception of the whole book. Therefore, it might be a good idea to read them only after you’ve read all stories from “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius” to “The Garden of Forking Paths”.[/color]
First, there is a sense of progress from one story to the next; Orbis Tertius meets Al-Mu’tasim in the figure of Pierre Menard, who is reflected by the dreamer of the “Circular Ruins”. The later plot is a theme from whose variation springs the “Babylon Lottery”… The Babylonic liar meets the shadow of Pierre Menard, a clash from which “Herbert Quain” results. His literature, taken to a lottery extreme, is described in the Library of Babel, which in a sense confirms the ideas brought about by “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius”. This complex web of intercrossing doxa is finally condensed and synthesized in the incredible, multi-layered structure of the “Garden of Forking Paths”.
[color=#663366]“Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius” spoiler inside:[/color]
The second reason is simple: “Tlön, Uqbar” works as an introduction the rest of the book. In my first post here, I said a friend of mine is afraid of Borges because his fiction seems to melt the boundaries of reality and swallow it: you’ll understand that weird sensation after you’ve read a couple of other stories of his. But for now, bear in mind: ain’t that exactly what “Tlön, Uqbar” describes? In a sense, Borges’ magic begins at the very first story, in which fiction takes over reality, but this sinister confusion between his story and yours will only be perceived a posteriori, when you finish reading another story and realise it: “oh my, he did it, and now it’s too late for me to escape it”.
By all means, do so only if you really feel up to it. I’ll make a quick revision of “Tlön, Uqbar” for the people who want to get in-depth on the ideas Borges exposes. The only requirement in this topic, however, is to enjoy the literature: the ideas. What I’m trying to say is, if you want an explanation, you’ll have it, I promise, but for now you don’t need any philosophical background.
I’m sure you don’t need to have read a single line about Berkeley’s idealism in order to be able to stare at the moonlight tonight and think to yourself, hlör u fang axaxaxas mlö, and wonder. And, believe me, the next morning you’ll catch yourself making up verbal (or adjective) languages as you walk to the bus station, and when you realise what’s going on in your mind’s background, you’ll curse Borges and smile.
I definitely recommend it. And, like I said, that book will never be a waste: if you actually get tired of it, I’m still willing to buy it from you.