Great novel. I use it in my World Lit. Crime Fiction course.

Love it! I actually liked Foucault's Pendulum better, but I understand some aspects of it are a little dated now. Some, not all! Not its essence. (I teach both)

I am going to miss your column (and not much else). Yesterday we cancelled our LAtimes subscription after 45 years. Last ones in our street to get the hard copy of the newspaper. I feel bad for the delivery lady.

Lately I've been going to Target just to use their restrooms when I'm out running errands

Very nice, but it is a French company. Does it count?

Saint Francis is the patron saint of Italy, and look who's running the country there right now...

Very nice, maybe inspired by Luis Sepúlveda's Historia de una gaviota y del gato que le enseñó a volar (The Story Of A Seagull And The Cat Who Taught Her To Fly)

They remind me of a great trip to Hokkaido

Milanese, ma in USA da molti (troppi?) anni. Insegno lingua italiana, letteratura italiana e letteratura comparata a UCSD.

I like "flutters."