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Recently read this and just wondering of opinions regarding it. Regarded as a good gateway towards esoterica- Saint Germain, Templars etc? Thought Name of the Rose actually a better book for what its worth.
I just finished This is Not the End of the Book by Umberto Eco and Jean-Claude Carrière. London: Vintage Books, 2012. (originally published in French in 2009.)
This is a book of conversations between these two authors, with a third person interviewer, Jean-Philippe de Tonnac. Both authors share a common passion for tracking down historical books and authors that they see as idiotic or foolishness, as a kind of celebration of human folly. Eco does collect books on things like occultism and other unorthodox theories outside the scientific mainstream, but not because he thinks they have much real sense in them. He describes what he collects as:
In his novel Foucault’s Pendulum, I would say Eco’s purpose is not to persuade people of the possible existence of hidden undercurrents of influence in history coming from various secret fraternities, but rather to ridicule such ideas by showing that when you start looking for them, you can discover all kinds of correlations and coincidences ad infinitum. Hence Foucault’s Pendulum is I think supposed to be a reduction ad absurdum of “secret history” kind of thinking.
Both authors came across as having some measure of contempt for what they saw as idiotic thinking from throughout history, as recorded in books which have come down to us, which I found unendearing and a little intellectually arrogant.
Eco gets so absorbed by the subject of stupidity that he thinks it is the best explanation for some 20th century military events:
The two authors seem to think the coming of the internet is a mixed blessing, with the potential it has to make available screeds of nonsense
J. C. C. himself asks a not overly smart question:
An internet search will show that 230 copies of the First Folio are known, of which the Folger Library has 82 copies, and that a copy of the First Folio was sold by Sotheby’s in 2006 (for 2.8 million UK pounds). (This copy came onto the market from an institutional collection.)
Eco also seemed out-of-touch with the average person’s relation to buying new motor vehicles, not that this invalidates anything in particular.
In conclusion I think anyone who wanted to dismiss "conspiracy theories" as being nonsense would find a useful ally in Umberto Eco and his writings.
This is a book of conversations between these two authors, with a third person interviewer, Jean-Philippe de Tonnac. Both authors share a common passion for tracking down historical books and authors that they see as idiotic or foolishness, as a kind of celebration of human folly. Eco does collect books on things like occultism and other unorthodox theories outside the scientific mainstream, but not because he thinks they have much real sense in them. He describes what he collects as:
-p. 131.
- Eco, p. 336.
In his novel Foucault’s Pendulum, I would say Eco’s purpose is not to persuade people of the possible existence of hidden undercurrents of influence in history coming from various secret fraternities, but rather to ridicule such ideas by showing that when you start looking for them, you can discover all kinds of correlations and coincidences ad infinitum. Hence Foucault’s Pendulum is I think supposed to be a reduction ad absurdum of “secret history” kind of thinking.
Both authors came across as having some measure of contempt for what they saw as idiotic thinking from throughout history, as recorded in books which have come down to us, which I found unendearing and a little intellectually arrogant.
- pp. 208-211.
- p. 215.
Eco gets so absorbed by the subject of stupidity that he thinks it is the best explanation for some 20th century military events:
-p. 312.
The two authors seem to think the coming of the internet is a mixed blessing, with the potential it has to make available screeds of nonsense
J. C. C. himself asks a not overly smart question:
-pp. 166-167
An internet search will show that 230 copies of the First Folio are known, of which the Folger Library has 82 copies, and that a copy of the First Folio was sold by Sotheby’s in 2006 (for 2.8 million UK pounds). (This copy came onto the market from an institutional collection.)
Eco also seemed out-of-touch with the average person’s relation to buying new motor vehicles, not that this invalidates anything in particular.
- p. 39.
In conclusion I think anyone who wanted to dismiss "conspiracy theories" as being nonsense would find a useful ally in Umberto Eco and his writings.
Just wanted to report the sad news that Umberto Eco passed away today. RIP Mr. Eco, you were one of the 20th Century's great writers.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35620368
ADDED: And Harper Lee also passed away. Literature has lost two great writers: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/harper_lee_dead_at_age_of_89_t.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35620368
ADDED: And Harper Lee also passed away. Literature has lost two great writers: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/harper_lee_dead_at_age_of_89_t.html
Thanks Beau for the update, sad day indeed for literature. Two of my favourite authors as well and interesting that they both passed away on the same day - may they rest in peace.
To me the best fictional work that i have ever read is to "Kill a Mockingbird". I remember being so moved and feeling strong emotions when reading the book, and vicariously imagining the moral courage of Atticus Finch. If only we had more Atticus Finch's in this world...sigh!
To me the best fictional work that i have ever read is to "Kill a Mockingbird". I remember being so moved and feeling strong emotions when reading the book, and vicariously imagining the moral courage of Atticus Finch. If only we had more Atticus Finch's in this world...sigh!
Very sad. RIP Umberto Eco.
I only read the Name of the Rose years ago, but I remember how I was totally moved and absorbed by it. Perhaps it's time to check out his other works.
Do you have a source for this casper? I would like to share this quote on social media, but want to check the source first - couldn't find any with a quick search... Thanks!
I only read the Name of the Rose years ago, but I remember how I was totally moved and absorbed by it. Perhaps it's time to check out his other works.
casper said:
Do you have a source for this casper? I would like to share this quote on social media, but want to check the source first - couldn't find any with a quick search... Thanks!
Eulenspiegel
Jedi Master
May he rest in peace- a great mind indeed.
"I love the smell of book ink in the morning."
― Umberto Eco
"I love the smell of book ink in the morning."
― Umberto Eco
casper said:
Thanks casper! I read the translation (unfortunately the original interview is behind a paywall on Le Monde's website), and it turns out that with his comment "big lies make history", Eco was actually talking about "conspiracy theories" such as the protocols of the elders of zion, and not about the big lies spread by the governments and media! So while I think he has a point about these conspiracy theories (witness the 'Muslims invade us and want to turn us into a caliphate' nonsense), it's unfourtunate that he doesn't speak about the big lies in the mainstream. So it's kind of difficult to use this quote to "wake people up", osit. But maybe some of the meaning of Eco's words was also "lost in translation"... Thanks again for the link!
A great mind and very good writer. Oh, my, I had so fun reading "In the name of the Rose", entering the labyrinth. Today I read that his library have 30,000 books. I saw also an interview with him where he talks with another lover of books, you know, both having the "gentle madness" about books. Now he is not here anymore. I have the impression he was very simple, very humble.
Another very interesting interview
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