Who's Writing This?: Notations on the Authorial I, with Self Portraits

After seeing a new translation of Jorge Luis Borges's mini-essay ``Borges and I'' (included here), Halpern (Selected Poems) asked numerous writers to muse briefly on ``the fictional persona `behind the scenes,'"" the alter(ed) ego that accompanies creation. Fifty-six notables, from Diane Ackerman to Helen Vendler-here presented alphabetically-replied, making a browse-worthy book for literary fans. Some are playful: Edward Gorey anagrams his name into those of characters including Ogdred Weary. Others, such as Cecil Brown, posit earthier personas: ``He is the proper Negro who is ashamed of me, the nigger.'' And still others are reflective: Susan Sontag recalls her longtime disavowal of her work and finally comes to feel that ``the writer is me: not my double'' and thus she is ``both Dr. Frankenstein and the monster.'' Each contributor also submitted a self-portrait; some of these whimsical drawings are extremely clever. (Oct.)