Customer Comments

if you are a "language" person or a translator or someone who wonders how books written in foreign languages survive the translation process: this is eco telling us how his translators worked on his books, about their process, his process, his theories, his problems. it's amazing, revealing, inspiring, fascinating. and if you're a reader of his books -- so much perspective and depth is brought to the mere reading of them in english.

an extraordinary voyage through time, through family, through memory, through changes in geography and power and place names -- i could not put it down. i felt as if i were being included in this voyage back into time (the loss of six members of his family, memory of whom had been so suppressed he didn't know their exact names or ages -- intrigued this man ) -- we follow him from childhood into manhood as he follows this path where it leads, sometimes dragging along slightly less enthusiastic siblings, yet somehow hearing the voice of his grandfather, long dead -- moving, a journey i wish i could follow for my own family -- absolutely gripping.

heartbreaking. mindblowing. how this compares to the adolescence most of us have had, those of us who do not live with war on this scale. the author is remarkably articulate, positive, well-spoken (saw him on THE DAILY SHOW). to be read by all, especially now.

i have bought between 8-10 copies of this book. it is obviously useful for directors of both film and theatre, but its ideas, clarity, humor and perspective can be constructively applied to ALL efforts involving creation, production, writing, you name it. based on this i tossed two useless screenplays and seriously revised the plotline of a couple of other projects. i give this to anyone beginning a new work or anyone floundering in the morass of self-doubt and lack of direction that is typical of creation. a must read.

a wonderful innovative way to look at those of us who live with stacks of things, piles of books, papers, layers of clothing -- i used to worry that i was becoming a collyer brother but this is a wonderful way to look at life, its messes, its ramifications.

if you loved CAUGHT STEALING, you will love this one. if for some lame reason you haven't yet read CAUGHT STEALING, rush out to get it and pick up SIX BAD THINGS also. (less of bud in this one but breathtaking nonetheless).