Umberto Eco- A Future Classic?

[Kent Edwins]

Hey all. I've only read two books by Umberto Eco- The Name of the Rose and Baudolino- but both were quite amazing. Eco somehow combines adventure and mystery with powerful literary themes. Is Eco bound to become a classic?

Also, what other books by him should I read? I've heard Foccault's Pendulum is quite good, as well as The Island of the Day Before.

[PeterL]

I think that Foucault's Pendulum and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana were his best, so far. If you thought that {i]The Name of the Rose[/i] was amazing, you will find those two good beyond expression.

[Tersely]

I'll get to know him better if he wins for the month of Feb. All I hear is good things.

[Kafka's Crow]

I have read only Name of the Rose as well as quite a few of his books on literary theory and criticism. He gives an excellent reading of Joyce's Ulysses in The Middle Ages of James Joyce, a little gem of a book. His Travels in Hyper Reality is written in the vein of Barthes and Jean Baudrillard, his knowledge of the medieval art is absolutely amazing. I will be very upset if he is not recognised as a true genius by future generations.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

Of the books mentioned, The Name of the Rose is the only one I have read. I think it was good, and if Foucault's Pendulum and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana are better... Then perhaps Mr Eco's works are classic material?

Anyway: Good reading tips. Now I will have to go looking for them. :thumbs_up

/Claes

[Kent Edwins]

I think that "Baudolino" is a gem of a book as well. Though not as recognized as "The Name of the Rose", it's just as good. Sort of the "other side" of the middle ages coin. Whereas The Name of the Rose was based on the spiritual world, Baudolino focuses on the secular.

I've been very interested in Joyce lately, so I should give the middle ages of Joyce a chance.

[PeterL]

Of the books mentioned, The Name of the Rose is the only one I have read. I think it was good, and if Foucault's Pendulum and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana are better... Then perhaps Mr Eco's works are classic material?


Yes, those are classic pieces of literature already. Whenever I waste a moment to think about it, I wonder why Eco is not talked about constantly by literary types.

[PeterL]

Of the books mentioned, The Name of the Rose is the only one I have read. I think it was good, and if Foucault's Pendulum and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana are better... Then perhaps Mr Eco's works are classic material?


Yes, those are classic pieces of literature already. Whenever I waste a moment to think about it, I wonder why Eco is not talked about constantly by literary types.

[loe]

I like Foucault's Pendulum best - absolute great!
Eco has the talent to work up historical facts in a very exciting and non superficial way.
Fortunately he is still alive, so it will take time to become a classical author. :)