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tophg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This could have easily been much shorter, but then again that would sort of defeat the whole premise of the book, and on that note --
I've never watched so many YouTube videos related to the subject of a book, sheesh, esotericism, mysticism, Kabbalah, Knights of Templar... which ultimately is why this book isn't my favorite, but it gets a decent review for the themes and when there is a plot line it's pretty damn cool. Otherwise, it's a whole lot of history that may or may not be factual (or important).
"You spend a life seeking the Opportunity, without realizing that the decisive moment, the moment that justifies birth and death, has already passed. It will not return, but it was—full, dazzling, generous as every revelation. "
I've never watched so many YouTube videos related to the subject of a book, sheesh, esotericism, mysticism, Kabbalah, Knights of Templar... which ultimately is why this book isn't my favorite, but it gets a decent review for the themes and when there is a plot line it's pretty damn cool. Otherwise, it's a whole lot of history that may or may not be factual (or important).
"You spend a life seeking the Opportunity, without realizing that the decisive moment, the moment that justifies birth and death, has already passed. It will not return, but it was—full, dazzling, generous as every revelation. "
gabriella_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a really complex book. I get why other users on here have called this the Ulysses of Italian literature - it was really dense and obscure in its references. I made the dumb mistake of getting a copy of this in Italian to improve my language skills, realized I didn't understand anything, then picked up an English copy and realized I still don't understand what the hell is going on. I feel really satisfied that this book is in the rearview but I don't really know what I've gained from reading this because through a lot of it, I had my blinders on (it was the only way to survive a read-through?). Maybe someone a little more learned can get what I didn't.
tosza's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
adarshvee's review against another edition
5.0
Extremely dense, and sometimes an arduous -- but alternatingly hilarious, profound and emotional -- read. Was all the effort worth it? As a member of the post-modern generation, I feel this is an important book. Personally, this book was definitely worth the effort.
evanmhanover's review against another edition
5.0
It's The DaVinci Code for people who like thoroughly researched history and well-formed sentences.
jescoqueerbilly's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book was unnecessarily esoteric. The term “cerebral” in the summary on this app is probably the best word to describe it. I liked some of the reflections at the end of the book, but I don’t know how I managed to get through the 450 pages that precede that point to read them. I almost never say things like this, but there are 200-300 pages in the middle of this book that the book would be better without. Maybe that’s what I get for reading a book with “Foucault” in the title. Also - all of the women in this book are relegated to minor “sage” or “muse” roles or to being objects of male desire.
cuetheviolins's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
msroark's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic in the true sense of the word. Was Eco paid by the word? Lists of names, places, titles. Longer and longer names. But through the chaos of words, truth. People will believe anything and stick to it despite all logic and reason. Conspiracy is much more interesting than truth.
808turner's review against another edition
5.0
This man's intellect and depth of knowledge are awe-inspiring.