The Book of Sand

The unnamed narrator of the story is presumably Argentinian, as he lives in Argentina on Calle Belgrano, or Belgrano Street, and previously worked for the National Library. The fact that he recently retired indicates that he is older, though he does not reveal his age. His eyesight is imperfect, and he notes that he is nearsighted. The narrator is a solitary man, as shown by the comments in which he notes his own misanthropy and “few friends.” His collection of rare Bibles in multiple languages, his commentary on their relative quality, and library career indicate that he is both intelligent and well-read.

From his interactions with the salesman, it becomes apparent that the narrator is friendly; he talks comfortably with the salesman well into the night, though his few friendships indicate that such interactions are rare. His contradictory nature is also evident in his hesitancy to burn the book, for fear that its infinite smoke will “suffocate the planet” (483), followed by his decision to leave it in the library, where someone else might find it and suffer as he has.

The narrator craves knowledge and understanding, and his willingness to trade the Wycliffe Bible and his pension for