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The Infinity Of Lists (2009)

by Umberto Eco(Favorite Author)

3.97 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1906694826 (ISBN13: 9781906694821)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Maclehose Press Quercus

review 1: A series of meditations on the character of different sorts of lists, especially those that appear in literature and art, Eco's rich illustrative excerpts are more substantial than his own prose. Some of these lists are wonderful, but lists aren't necessarily the most engaging genre to read. Eco's thoughts, especially in the first half of the book are quite compelling, but I wish he would have included more about the connections between the excellent art collection here and his various categories of lists.
review 2: Umberto Eco will remain a fixture in my fantasy dinner party, next to Frederic Chopin and Dorothy Parker. There is something heroic and yet humble in his intellect. Those that have followed his collaboration with the Louvre have enjoyed his takin... moreg unusual themes, sometimes brilliant for their obviousness like "beauty" other times brilliant for their subtle importance like "enumeration", and watch him walk through the western canon the way michael jordan drives the key. Those treating these works as art books however I imagine will be disappointed. Eco will own anyone any time on the printed word. But unfortunately for the reader, the beautiful and strinking artworks are usually given only a cursory mention and serve more as side illustrations. This betrays Eco as a man of letters, not a man of visual arts. Which raises the question, as interesting and well argued and original as the man and his perspectives are, why is he writing books for the Louvre?For the fifth star, maybe he should consider tying in the works a little more. less

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