Reviews

Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco

pendar's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

testaroscia's review against another edition

4.0

This is a re-read after 30 years, an unlike The Name of the Rose which I loved even more third time round this one bogged down in parts that took the shine off the memories of the first time. It is still a monumental book that sets the standard to which all the wannabe Dan Brown's aspire to in the construction of their Rosicrucian worlds, however I found myself glossing over Belbo's life reflections and it did read as a very interesting reference book with an uneven underlying plot thread. It is worth the challenge though.

cecile87's review against another edition

4.0

It's been many years since I read this book. I recall being drawn to it given my interest in hermetic societies and a curiosity about Umberto Ecco. I prepared myself for, and got, a very dense read. The irony in the story, where very very serious secret societies mistook the writings of a group of journalists (?--I forget the details) as gospel and led to dangerous consequences, sustained me through all the Latin and the various journeys.

Anyway, I was amazed by the density of the writing, which has led me today to the list of other difficult reads.

Maybe I will take on another one.

snarkoman's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It's a must read of intellectual novel. 

malnourish's review against another edition

challenging funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

dsteele's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

biolexicon's review against another edition

2.0

Good material in desperate need of a good editor.

korol_rezni's review against another edition

2.0

Okay, this book is not for me. I love the plot and idea, but all that conspiracy theory dialogs that go on and on hundreds of pages ruin the story. I understand that this is what the writer wants. To show something different so you can concentrate on something other than the plot. Unfortunately, I hate conspiracy theories and it is way more boring for me even though I love history and cults. If you are into it, then it may be the book for you since it is well written.

albatrossonhalfpointe's review against another edition

challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

Really wasn't into this. Finished it mainly out of spite, I think.

m_henchard's review against another edition

1.0

Charming, but a slog.