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How to Travel with a Salmon and Other Essays

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'How to Travel with a Salmon and Other Essays' by Umberto Eco is a collection of short articles and essays that offer a humorous and insightful look at various aspects of modern life. From witty commentary on gadgets and technology to humorous anecdotes about daily experiences, Eco's writing style blends intelligence with humor. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including rejection letters, gadgets like the Electric Nose Hair Remover, and advice on dealing with the absurdities of the modern world. Eco's writing is described as light, quirky, and filled with moments of laughter and wit.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style blends humor with intellectual insight, offering a unique voice that resonates with fans of both literary and comedic writing.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot consists of a series of humorous essays that satirically reflect on various aspects of modern life.

Setting:

The setting encompasses modern life and societal structures, often reflecting on the culture of the late 20th century.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick due to the short essay format, though some readers find it uneven.
In May of 1981, as I was passing through Amsterdam, I lost my wallet (or it was stolen: there are thieves even in Holland). It contained only a small amount of money, but a number of documents and car...

Notes:

Umberto Eco's writing style combines humor and intellect, reminiscent of Borges and Barry.
The essays often reflect on human nature and societal issues, like how we treat animals.
Eco critiques how society humanizes animals to mask human cruelty.
He humorously discusses the absurdities of modern gadgets and bureaucracy.
The book provides practical advice on everyday situations with a comedic twist.
Readers appreciate Eco's insights into modern life, though some find the essays tedious when read together.
The essays are best enjoyed in small doses, making them suitable for bedtime reading.
Eco shares personal anecdotes, making the essays relatable and entertaining.
Overall, the book has moments of laugh-out-loud humor, despite some criticism of its depth.

From The Publisher:

Hilarious and provocative, fanciful and wise, offering answers to questions we never thought to ask and questions to the answers we always thought we knew, these essays range over subjects marginally useful and fabulously unexpected.

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