Umberto Eco Interview: I Was Always Narrating

Interview with the late Italian novelist Umberto Eco, author behind the bestselling novel ‘The Name of the Rose’. With great warmth and humour Eco shares how he has always taken pleasure in telling stories, and how he came to write his first novel.
“I realised that even though I started writing novels at the age of 48, I was always narrating. Even my academic papers had the form of a narration.” Eco wrote poems when he was 16 - like every other 16-year-old boy: “Writing poetry and practising masturbation is a typical phenomenon of that age.” To Eco, the great difference between prose and poetry is that in poetry words come first whereas with prose the world - the image - forms the beginning and the language has to follow the story. His first novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ from 1980 (sold in approx. 14 million copies world-wide at the time of Eco’s death) arose when Eco had a full professorship, had published 50 books and was translated into several languages: “I was at the point in a life where you either - like Rimbaud - escape to Africa to sell guns, or you escape with a Cuban ballerina and abandon the family. Or you write a novel.”
“I need to know the number of steps in a staircase in order to make my character climb up.” When writing novels, Eco has always done many years of thorough research before commencing the actual writing, creating the ideal world for his characters: “It’s not the author who writes the novel. The author creates some starting points. Then the novel writes itself by itself.” The writer simply has to follow the logic of the characters.
Umberto Eco (1932-2016) is an Italian philosopher, semiotician, essayist, literary critic and author widely known for his bestselling novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ (Il nome della rosa) (1983). Among his other novels are ‘Foucault’s Pendulum’ (Il pendolo di Foucault) (1989), ‘The Island of the Day Before’ (L’isola del giorno prima) (1995), ‘Baudolino’ (2000) and ‘The Prague Cemetery’ (Il cimitero di Praga) (2010). He is the founder of the Department of Media Studies at the University of the Republic of San Marina, President of the Graduate School for the Study of the Humanities, University of Bologna, member of the Accademia dei Lincei and an Honorary Fellow of Kellogg College, University of Oxford. He divides his time between an apartment in Milan and a vacation house near Urbino, Italy - both residences have extensive libraries (30,000 volume and 20,000 volume). For more about him see: www.umbertoeco....
Umberto Eco was interviewed in his apartment in Milan by Tonny Vorm in May 2015.
Camera: Klaus Elmer
Edited by: Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærkesen
Produced by: Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærkesen and Christian Lund
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2015

[@uraehope]

Anyone from class 12 here his interview was amazing!!! I absolutely love it 💗

[@Keyser666]

"Research was very short, only TWO YEARS."

[@alexandreasselin9052]

It is relatively short for him, it took him eight years to write Foucault's Pendulum

[@criticuttam]

George Simley and Keyser Soze, well done!

[@holistic7980]

depends on how much u know. What u write about.

[@ciao-cj5in]

Stephen King publishes 6 books in the meantime

[@GaiatheSage]

lmao two years is a VERY short research period.

[@DoxSam]

Instead of Reading Flamingo I Directly Jumped To Watch The Interview

[@SIGMA_MALE_2005]

Anyone from 12th class ?

[@basement2345]

Us homie 😭

[@suyashgk]

Us bro us😅

[@akshatbohra427]

Yes man

[@voguevines]

us dude, now i finally know what his voice sounds like

[@ayushupadhyay3411]

Just wanted to see the expressions and feel vibrations of them

[@michaelmclaughlin261]

He started writing novels at 48? Well shit, that gives me hope. ;)

[@darkmoon8400]

Me too

[@darkmoon8400]

It is never too late😁

[@AlexanderWill1970]

Me too, Michael :-D

[@fulgenzio89]

Yes but before that he studied for decades

[@MsBettyRubble]

@@fulgenzio89 kill joy.

[@87-BeforeCommonEra]

Absolutely legendary man, and I love that he started writing novels for his mid-life crisis (rather than leaving his family for a Cuban ballerina). This is certainly one of the better interviews I've seen of his on KZbin.

[@davidquak4398]

He did say that. I think he also said or sell arms in Africa or something

[@ivanilyic6492]

Legendary? He's highly overrated. His books are the most boring and dull

[@87-BeforeCommonEra]

@@ivanilyic6492 There are indeed far better novelists and writers, but his being legendary has nothing to do whether or not you enjoy his writing! His work in semiotics and literary analysis was highly influential - although I suppose you could argue it won't have the staying power of other postmodernist and structuralist theorists of the same era. In any case, he remains relevant today in academia. I often see his works cited in various fields of research, and that is possibly his greatest strength: the ability to use his thinking in application to so many different fields of study.

[@s.h.1639]

I didn't know that. That's something I could definitely learn from.

[@nathanielmerchant3286]

@@ivanilyic6492 Which books? His novels? Or his non-fiction?

[@galaxy-star-me]

Finally I know that there are so many books I don't need to waste my precious time to read .

[@ryancoulter4797]

Started writing novels at the age of 48. I’m 48. This gives me hope.

[@dariusmendoza880]

"Dan Brown writes for the credulous" - the perfect book review for everything Dan Brown has published...

[@englishpoint2580]

Re 00o9òk8

[@hd-xc2lz]

A fun reading group idea would to spend a season or year alternating between the two authors' novels.

[@ydemyanov]

@@hd-xc2lz would be torture

[@zioscozio]

He was such a character and writer! His love for books is so inspiring!

[@hunterrobichon1460]

My goodness, I cannot believe I missed this treasure! A man whose words have been woven in my heart; never to be forgotten! His books with descriptions, characters, research and topics so controversial, but so eye-opening. He is a gift to humanity and necessary for every generation. Thank you, Umberto Eco, for every piece of writing you invested in the world.

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Here is an Italian literary legend ! He wrote great books for world literature......

[@1995yuda]

I always find out about the greatest individuals to walk the earth after they already pass away. Eco, the master semiotician, without him my spiritual quest would be impossible... I owe you so much....Thank you !!

[@mareksicinski3726]

Could you elaborate more about? Interesting

[@Splackavellie85]

I love how he pronounces "chameleon". I disagree with his assessment of his writing, however: I've always though storytelling was his weakest aspect, and his dialogue was absolutely fantastic. I've been a fan of Eco's ever since I first read Foucault's Pendulum when I was sixteen years old and I've read pretty much every book of him I could find, even his doctoral thesis on Thomas Aquino. Foucault's Pendulum remains my favorite. That book changed my life, and the way I view the world. Lia is the most brilliantly down to earth character ever, and the way she deconstructs the plan (and by extension the entire novel) in just two pages blew my mind fifteen years ago, and still blows my mind today. Thank you Eco, for everything you've left behind. Meeting you remains the only thing on my bucket lift I've been able to cross off. Now, on to curing Alzheimer's Disease for the next one!

[@Splackavellie85]

Yes, in 2011

[@whistler8]

All the best in your recovery from Alzheimer!

[@patum1000]

I hope you doing well. I read your post only now that is 1 year after you wrote it. I hope in that year you are better .

[@raghudadhich5035]

I read your comment once, and now i am here again scrolling through the comments and reading your comment once again. How are you now?

[@timmlaaser3982]

Guys, the way I understand it is that when @@Splackavellie85said he intends to "cure Alzheimer's", he's working to find a cure for it as a researcher. He isn't "fighting" the disease because he doesn't have it himself. Correct me if I'm wrong :)

[@roxshows938]

There is english chapter in our ncert also which is also coming in boards exams 2024

[@prometeo34]

A true genius...you are missed Umberto Eco....

[@BoltAtlas]

I came here because of an English chapter I had to go through.....but now I became part of something beautiful....education has not failed me yet

[@studyyoumofo6286]

good its our exam daynafter tomorrow

[@anveshavyas450]

Sammmme

[@anveshavyas450]

@@studyyoumofo6286 😅 true 🤪

[@danger00722]

Yaa Mee too!! I know you are talking about the interview

[@gnrands50]

I'm glad I found this interview. This man wrote two of my favorite novels, The Name of the Rose & The Island of the Day Before. Thank you so much for doing this interview and for posting it.

[@pantarhei7]

I was always surprised by how delightful it feels to read his theoretical studies. Now I know, it´s because he´s narrating them :)

[@IAreHeadingForTheSun]

Wow, this is such a good interview. This was the fastest 24 minutes I can remember experiencing. Felt like 5.

[@hd-xc2lz]

Past the mid point I kept checking on the time remaining because I just didn't want it to end.

[@Hughenn]

A true academic and creative genius.

[@BrightyAlbo]

Eco, my greatest inspiration! Rest in Peace!

[@Burps___]

Fascinating, Louisiana Channel. Your videos, which uncover the brain of the artist, are of the sort that will slowly gain "views" over many, many years. Your videos are enlightening candles, showing us the way, compared to the noisy firecrackers that populate most all of KZbin. And for that, we thank you.

[@JohnVKaravitis]

+The Cool One I feel the same way. Good post! John V. Karavitis

[@davidpajakowski8968]

You are Missed...

[@giacomoleopardi9077]

Your Mum is Missed

[@lightbox33]

Amen to that! I had the chance to see Eco at the Art Institute of Chicago. He signed Foucault's Pendulum for me which I took a picture of him doing. Also got to hear at the same place Octavio Paz recite his poetry. Took and picture of him and recorded (audio only) the event. Two of the most important writers in my life that changed me forever for the better. Books and poetry are my life.

[@graybow2255]

@@lightbox33 you're lucky!

[@newyork1401]

Italians are the greatest current scholars - most interesting perspectives.

[@AleksandarBloom]

recommend some?

[@0xLeus]

Eugenio Montale

[@mcmu1011]

H. Bloom Italo Calvino, Cesare Pavese, Pasolini, Montanelli, Italo Svevo. Read them all! 😊

[@pabloalvez915]

Try also Perniola, G. Vattimo or Luigi Pareyson. Enjoy!☺

[@Boyd2342]

@Bruno56 lol

[@darbyl3872]

A true master of the craft. Besides The Name Of The Rose, I recommend Foucault's Pendulum, and my favorite, The Island Of The Day Before. He wrote many non-novels, including one about the different ways to understand a story through its different voices, first person, third person, the narrator's voice, etc.

[@lukehauser1182]

Six Walks in Fictional Woods is wonderfully multi-layered - I listen to the audiobook as I walk around San Francisco

[@lakshgoyal1324]

there is chapter in english in cbse based on Umberto Eco's interview.

[@zz-wp5bn]

It's been more than a year since I last visited this video,last time I was here it was for English boards(class 12),now here just to relive the memories lol

[@MacJaxonManOfAction]

This is amazing! I love Eco... thank you so much for this upload! :)

[@chopin65]

😊 He's right about the difference between prose and poetry. I know this because I am a poet in love with narrative.

[@Crowka274]

Thank you for the upload. What a man, what wisdom.

[@facethemountain6503]

amazing, thanks for this upload. Eco is a genius

[@emanueltepes75]

What a brilliant man...

[@kusonoqui]

Very nice and educational video, it's nice to know and listen Eco even if it is only for a few minutes.

[@saulorocha3755]

Spend the 2020's pandemic in the company of Eco, rereading The Open Work and The Absent Structure which stood in my bookshelf for almost 20 years since college, the latter I read twice in sequence because at the end of the book I thought "What was it really about?" Also later I realized I should had read the Open Work first but anyways, fantastic reading these two books.

[@fredhoupt4078]

A great soul, one of my literary heroes; I would place him right beside Samuel Johnson, Jack Kerouac, Nikos Kazentzakis, many others. Such a wonderfully illuminated mind.

[@fredhoupt4078]

BTW, I have tried on several occasions to read one of his Semiotic text books, translated into English. Cannot get my brain to vibrate on such a high level.

[@westerling8436]

Mann, I studied literature and it will always be my life, soon be able to read Chinese novels, God rest your soul

[@unefemmequilit]

Hi Kevin, are you able to read in Chinese now?

[@mvsan6]

Absolutely great...how to be a philosopher and talk about complex topics without being boring and arrogant !

[@newyork1401]

his Search for the Perfect Language is so good, nonfiction but a novel

[@robertonizzo9604]

arrivederci maestro Umberto Eco (1932-2016).... goodbye in the Heaven, master! The loved professor Eco was born in my city, Alessandria, Piedmont. :)

[@RealHumanities]

Who come after reading the interview class 12 English flamingo book

[@nayan7398]

Me

[@rahilarora6459]

Me

[@realnavab4883]

Me

[@LaLora95]

What’s that about? I’m curious :)

[@larathomas9951]

@@LaLora95 That's one of the English textbooks part of the Indian CBSE curriculum for the 12th grade. There's an extract of an interview of Umberto Eco by the newspaper, "The Hindu" in relation to an essay on the art of "interviews" in the aforementioned book.

[@tusharcarpenter1948]

I was studying the interview from my ncert textbook calss 12 and I liked how it is I searched and came up here!🤌🏻

[@kmzk427]

Me too 😂 Literally kinda boring lesson

[@mayanlogos92]

Ill miss him ❤. I never knew him, but i'll surely miss him 💜 like a dear friend...

[@TheGabrielbowater]

oh god I love umberto so much

[@user-qb3jg8ep9t]

Requiescat in pace, dottore professore Eco

[@1995yuda]

So he had a collection of psuedo scientific - scientific books. Wow !! That is such a GENIUS thing to do to get the juices flowing !!!

[@AbhijeetGupta-df3hl]

2024 class 12

[@gulk.6884]

such a fascinating man

[@robertonizzo9604]

Mandrogno

[@gabrielemalatesta8978]

Grazie per questa

[@dimifisher7942]

Genius, just genius

[@graybow2255]

I'm here because I'm waiting for Foucault's Pendulum to arrive. Edit: it didn't arrive. My order was cancelled as the lockdown started.

[@maurocaso]

Hope you had a chance to read it. It's my favorite book ever

[@graybow2255]

@@maurocaso Unfortunately not yet, but I've read The Name of the Rose. Enjoyed it a lot.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

12:52 - U.E.: “I think that everybody writes something...hopes to become Homer.” - No, not that one...

[@SumerianExplorer]

Great 👍

[@takashikashiwase3461]

thx, very late interview, Didn't know exists

[@williamshin7066]

Duomo, Milano~!!!! Sono felicita ....

[@catturunen]

Thanks to this interview for the good writing advices c;

[@TheDelem]

8 years to prepare Foucault's Pendulum... now I understand why I needed 6 month to complete the reading !! Lol

[@RebNegru]

Miss You!! 2019

[@simonericcardi6090]

It's interesting this came up on my feeds page now.. That the TV series he was talking about in 2016 is real

[@albertoferreira7584]

I wonder who would be this Dan Brown character in the Pendulum...

[@maricyferr5411]

Adorable person! The world got less special when he left.

[@josephzamer5802]

I quite consider Foucault Pendulum a better novel than The name of the Rose, something complex per se doesn't means that its better, but Foucault was part time essays part time oneiric, I don't know: Name of the Rose its like to read Conan Doyle speaking about medieval art, I love it too, but quite fall short instead

[@chrisgetz9787]

He and Ivo Andric are my favourite foreign writers

[@cscdikeda8565]

チェメリオン？＿＿ああカメレオンのことね！（イタリア語の発音から）〜♡

[@bookishtopics]

It's very interesting that he considered Foucault's Pendulum his best novel. I still haven't read it. I need to get to it

[@mikeywestside8509]

Embrace yourself. It's not an easy read.

[@akashpradeep4686]

Class 12 CBSE 😅

[@semyaza7]

He was right. Foucault's Pendulum is the best.

[@bookishtopics]

It's interesting that he considers Foucault's Pendulum his best novel 16:00 . I need to get to this one.

[@ydemyanov]

it is like the bible basically to a lot of people i guess including myself

[@vromainville]

What a legend !

[@DarkPanda1]

Yall ready for boards 2024?

[@brunaelivros_]

if there was a movie of his life, I think al pacino could be perfect to be him

[@LinaSh-og6vk]

The genius

[@Kunal_10x]

Is there any Indian 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@PaulSmith-jz2ys]

Umberto Eco was a super big Italian like Gaius Julius Caesar and Dante Alighieri.

[@AnalogOpher]

Genius.

[@Corelli4F]

The name of the rose fans comment.

[@jonathan.hauhnar9406]

Saia ka lawm e

[@aeideevie6237]

If you've came here for class 12 ENGLISH exam ...then best of luck ....hope you all score full marks 😊😊😊

[@zz-wp5bn]

All the best

[@aeideevie6237]

Thanks 😊

[@thaisplouvier5403]

0:10 friend 0:27 form 0:45 satisfy

[@dirkrose1565]

He would have deserved to live up to a hundred and ten years old.

[@puchaczytacz]

two years now [*]

[@pipersolanas3322]

R.I.P

[@purplemonkey5141]

"I don't read. I write"🤣🤣

[@damookie]

wow indeed.

[@charlesedwardandrewlincoln8181]

Did Harold Bloom ever comment on Umberto Eco?

[@nohisocitutampoc2789]

Gorgeous.

[@spaperatoreassassino4994]

THE ORIGINAL VEZ

[@ritornoaltrove2684]

Ecco un altro interessante intervento del prof. UMBERTO ECO in merito al tema "Verità, Comunicazione e Significati" kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZq1omObm8mFers

[@luc7937]

Love

[@charlesedwardandrewlincoln8181]

Empirical and modal reader.

[@jackhampton4879]

Kind of a longshot: I'd like to own a jacket exactly like that.... can anyone identify it?

[@TonyaODellFamishedWriter]

💓

[@charlesedwardandrewlincoln8181]

Do we know what research steps he took?

[@SorroVEVO]

teke tek kapışsak hangimiz döver acaba

[@alessiocataldi2434]

Quando parlava in inglese, non aveva la "R" moscia

[@phillylifer]

Wait did he say he started writing novels because he had a feeling not unlike needing to piss?

[@احمدحسن-غ1ح9ظ]

امبرتو ايكو

[@AtrusGambit]

21:55 wtf with the hands tucking his pants into the seat?!

[@PeterDmitriyev]

adjusting lavalier microphone cord

[@nononouh]

8