RIP

Umberto Eco, writer, semiotician

I first encountered his writing when I attempted to read The Name of the Rose. After reading about ten pages, I got up and retrieved my compact copy of the Oxford English Dictionary and a magnifying glass. I have a very good vocabulary but his level of both thought and expression was above me. What an exhilarating challenge it was. And a fascinating story, too. I liked knowing he was in the world, and now he's not. Sad.