Six Problems for Don Isidro Parodi

Style and Technique

The style of «Six Problems for Don Isidro Parodi» is exquisitely parodic and multilayered: Borges and Bioy Casares skillfully play with the conventions of the detective genre, turning investigation into an intellectual kaleidoscope. The language is rich with ironic tones, subtle satire, and allusions to classic works of world literature. The authors masterfully employ hyperbole, grotesque, wordplay, and elegant metaphors, creating an atmosphere of light absurdity and, at the same time, deep reflection on the nature of truth and illusion. The structure of the stories is built on the principle of the puzzle: each tale is a self-contained enigma, in which Don Isidro Parodi, confined to his cell, unravels the most complex cases relying only on the retelling of events. This technique highlights the artificiality of the narrative and the constructed nature of genre clichés, turning investigation into a witty literary game. As a result, the book stands as a brilliant example of postmodern irony, where form and content are inextricably intertwined in a refined dance of meanings.