BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Adolfo Bioy Casares, the celebrated
                  Argentine writer known for his use of fantasy and his collaborations with
                  literary giant, Jorge Luis Borges, has died. He was 84.

                  The author of "The Invention of Morel," died late Monday at a Buenos Aires
                  hospital. He was reportedly suffering from heart and respiratory problems.

                  Born into a wealthy family on Sept. 15, 1914, Bioy Casares originally
                  studied law, but a passion for writing inspired him to switch to the study of
                  philosophy and literature.

                  He met Borges in 1932, and began a lifelong collaboration. Together, they
                  edited a literary magazine, "Inopportune."

                  His 1940 novel, "The Invention of Morel," is considered his finest work and
                  was translated into 19 languages. The book is a fantasy about a fugitive who
                  falls in love with a woman eventually revealed to be an image created by a
                  movie projector.

                  His works also included "The Dream of Heroes," a 1954 novel about love
                  and memory and "Diary of the War of the Pig," a 1969 work of political
                  satire and science fiction.

                  Yet his achievements were often overshadowed by the towering
                  accomplishments of Borges, the poet, essayist and short-story writer whose
                  works have become classics of 20th century literature.

                  Together, they wrote under a variety of pen names, collaborating on a series
                  of social satires and lampoons. These included "Six Problems for Don Isidro
                  Parodi" and "Chronicles of Bustos Domecq," both of which satirize
                  Argentine personalities.

                  Bioy Casares received the Cervantes Prize in 1990, the highest honor
                  bestowed by Spain on writers in the language.

                  Bioy Casares was married to the late Silvina Ocampo, also a writer. The
                  couple had a daughter, Marta, who died in a 1993 car accident. Marta's
                  three daughters attended the funeral at the Recoleta cemetery on Tuesday.

                  Bioy Casares also had a son out of wedlock whom he acknowledged a few
                  months ago.

                  Copyright 1999 The Associated Press.