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raceyburden's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
librarianna81's review against another edition
4.0
It took me 2 decades to read this...
When I worked in France during the summer of 2001, this book was passionately recommended to me by my boss, who had just himself climed this mountain. Now, nearly 20 years later, I myself have finally scaled the peak. I'd say it was worth it. What a book. Over 600 pages and I don't even know if that was half enough to explain everything. I know I only probably caught about 25% of the meanings and references in here. But it was still hard to put down and so well written. Eco really shines in his prose when he is relating vignettes; those really sang out to me in amongst the dense and sometimes impenetrable passages that dove so deeply into metaphysics.
En tout cas: Merci, Laurent.
12/31/20 ETA: I just realized that Eco's pastoral vignettes remind me so much of Borges. So much.
When I worked in France during the summer of 2001, this book was passionately recommended to me by my boss, who had just himself climed this mountain. Now, nearly 20 years later, I myself have finally scaled the peak. I'd say it was worth it. What a book. Over 600 pages and I don't even know if that was half enough to explain everything. I know I only probably caught about 25% of the meanings and references in here. But it was still hard to put down and so well written. Eco really shines in his prose when he is relating vignettes; those really sang out to me in amongst the dense and sometimes impenetrable passages that dove so deeply into metaphysics.
En tout cas: Merci, Laurent.
12/31/20 ETA: I just realized that Eco's pastoral vignettes remind me so much of Borges. So much.
kat_bird's review against another edition
4.0
The only reason I'm giving this four stars is because when I first read it in high school for a math class, I was too stupid to get it. I'm probably still too stupid to get it. I'm not sure if that is my problem or the book's problem.
towercorvid's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
fbeepo's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding. Packed tightly, but not overwhelming. A fun and interesting story.
simo_t's review against another edition
4.0
Hengästyttävä ja paikoin uuvuttavakin sukellus salaliittojen maailmaan uponneiden ihmisten joukkoon. Eco osoitti kirjassa, miten kaiken saa halutessaan liittymään kaikkeen, jolloin historiasta voi rakentaa palapelin, joka todistaa mitä tahansa. Kirjan mieleenpainuvin osa on loppu, joka kuvaa vaikuttavasti ja koskettavasti mitä salaliittoteorioihin paneutuminen voi pahimmillaan ihmiselle tehdä.
katymvt's review against another edition
3.0
That was so weird. Kind of confusing. And a bit bizarre. I have no other words
tanja_321's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
chglein's review against another edition
4.0
The first section of the book: brilliant, one of the best things I've read in years. The last section of the book: brilliant, one of the best things I've read in years. But I'm skeptical that most things in between those parts needed to be told the way they were. Two areas in particular stand out to me: In both of those areas, I think the sense of place that was so strong at the beginning of the book gets lost (save for the episode ), and they don't feel as thought-provoking as the final section of the book. Another problem, perhaps, is that they keep taking us away from Belbo, the most intriguing character by far.
Still, with the rise of right-wing cults and cult-like thinking around the globe, this book is as relevant as ever. Ultimately, I may be somewhat ambivalent about the product in toto (sorry, but I have to drop a little Latin when talking about Eco), but the highs are high.
Spoiler
1) I think the Brazil section and the cult ritual in the Italian castle felt redundant, and I'd have kept only one of them in; and 2) what was gained by giving us every last detail of the Plan?Spoiler
at Belbo's villaStill, with the rise of right-wing cults and cult-like thinking around the globe, this book is as relevant as ever. Ultimately, I may be somewhat ambivalent about the product in toto (sorry, but I have to drop a little Latin when talking about Eco), but the highs are high.
aventadistrict's review against another edition
3.0
it's like a 3.5 for i liked it and thought it was good but i am never reading all that again