The Library of Babel
by Jorge Luis Borges
In this captivating short story, Borges describes an infinite library whose interconnected rooms are all the same size, and whose randomly composed books contain every book ever written, and every book that might ever be written. Whole civilisations search the library, until they are driven to despair.
The Name of the Rose
by Umberto Eco
Modelled in part on Borges’ infinite library, the abbey library of Eco’s medieval mystery novel is designed as a labyrinth whose books whisper and murmur to each other over
the centuries. Many of the books contain heresies and other deviations. Access to the labyrinth is closely guarded.
The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
In Zafón’s baroque novel, the Cemetery of Forgotten Books is a vast, secret library in the heart of old Barcelona. Daniel Sempere is allowed to take a book from the library, but only if he promises to protect it for his whole life.
