Umberto Eco’s generous gift - beautiful books and the whole universe

MILAN. Umberto Eco passed away. Scientist, philosopher, writer.

Eco’s departure was unexpected, despite reports of his courageous fight against cancer over the past two years. The publication of the collection with its essay on literature, planned for the beginning of spring by Corpus, is like a farewell smile that softens the sadness of loss. Like letters sent from different places at the request of one who knows that he will not return, but who spares his loved ones. Eco’s statement about good books, which are always wiser than their creator, could not be attributed to the writer himself. Books are only part of the intellectual heritage of one of the smartest and most educated people of his time, a truly renaissance person. Philosophical works, essays, journalism, scientific works on medieval studies and semiotics. In developing his semiotic concept, he turned to the studies of representatives of the Tartu school, Yuri Lotman and Boris Uspensky.

Eco will remain in the memory of posterity and as the creator of the concept of the openness of any work to numerous interpretations. As the author of an essay on eternal fascism, in which 14 of its main features were identified. For 20 years, it has not only not become obsolete, but also remains frighteningly topical.

The output of the first book - “The Name of the Rose” - at the age of 48 seems almost natural. A fascinating detective shell contained the whole Universe, an abyss of diverse information about the modern world and the Middle Ages, which seemed fantastically close and tangible. Witty allusions, references to Arthur Conan Doyle, elegant elements of the parody turned out to be wonderful companions of a fascinating story. “The name of the rose” was the beginning of an exciting adventure. After this novel, it was not possible to leave other Eco books without attention.

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru