In this collection of essays and addresses delivered over the course of his illustrious career, Umberto Eco seeks "to understand the chemistry of [his] passion" for the word. From musings on Ptolemy and "the force of the false" to reflections on the experimental writing of Borges and Joyce, Eco's luminous intelligence and encyclopedic knowledge are on dazzling display throughout. And when he reveals his own ambitions and superstitions, his authorial anxieties and fears, one feels like a secret sharer in the garden of literature to which he so often alludes.

Remarkably accessible and unfailingly stimulating, this collection exhibits the diversity of interests and the depth of knowledge that have made Eco one of the world's leading writers.

All Editions

Paperback, 3rd Edition

ISBN13: 9780099453949

Penguin Random House, 2006

Paperback, 7th Edition

ISBN13: 9780156032391

Harcourt, 2005

Share Your Thoughts

Your review helps others make informed decisions

Click on a star to start your review