Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Foucault's Pendulum
Book Review: A remarkable work of Eco...
Summary: 5 Stars
This book addresses to people who enjoy the mystic writing of Eco. This book has not a definite chronological order, since it is a book, which describes Mysticism, making references to true and imaginery facts. It is trip into mysticism and Eco allows us to get a feel of the Mystic Orders and their doctrines through this book. Eco did not write this book for people who are not interested in Mysticism, but for those who have shared his own experiences via thise doctrines. Unfortunately, this sometimes leaves us to dark, since we are not able to comprehend the deepest meaning of his descriptions and the lack of chonological cohesion in his book.In case you do not enjoy his writing style and/or mysticism or mysteries, do not read it.
Book Review: A sequel to "The Name of the Rose"
Summary: 5 Stars
Dazzling book, and a natural (if geographically and chronologically shifted) sequel to "the name of the rose." If in the first novel the underlying question was the role of the sign as an intermediary between the subject and the object of knowledge (the overquoted--yet here quoted--stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus), the topic of this second book is the use of the sign to create reality. In other words: if everybody says that a tree fell in the forest but nobody can confirm it, did it really happen?The relevance for our world of media-mediate (excuse the alliteration) reality is immediate. From the pentagon control over the news of the gulf war, to Nixon's "big lie," the dangers of the sign run amok are all too real and magnificently represented in the book. The overflowing stream of connections that Casaubon, Belbo, and Diotallevi are able to justify sound as incredibly real in a world of UFO abductions, Millennial Cassandras, and New Age theorists.
I won't comment on the style, since I read the Italian version and many comments seem to refer to the English translation. Like others, I found the finale a little weak. I wanted to withold one star for this, but then I wondered is, in spite of my best efforts, I had been ruined forever by despicable Hollywood habits. Are the last 10 pages of a book really more important than the other 690?
Book Review: A slow tortuous book
Summary: 3 Stars
I am surprised that so few reviewers caught on that this book is a parody of occultist thought. The fact that Minnie Mouse plays a prominent role in THE PLAN, is a fairly obvious clue.The book is tortuous and slow which might be the reason people miss the parody. I sympathize with the readers that gave up mid stream. It is not for the weak of heart. Umberto Eco fills page after page with examples of the convoluted reasoning of occultists.
I gave the book lower marks because parody wears thin when it is stretched too far.
I could not heap enough praise on Eco's earlier novel, The Name of the Rose. I loved the concept of Foulcants Pendulum, but found the book longer and more confusing than the concept merited. I would not recommend it to the casual reader.
Book Review: A study of need to believe
Summary: 5 Stars
This tour de force by Umberto Eco has at it's heart a study of the need for faith or as he calls it, "the object of desire."The desire for justification leads to an increasingly irrational reality which stems paradoxically from a fantasy. This paradox turns on the need to believe that one's belief is true and this at any cost.
As a Professor of Semiotics, one would expect Eco's writing to be full of symbolism and in this the book does not disappoint. It also acts as a very good primer on the history of the Knights Templar and can be recommended as a starting point for any one wishing to study this strange Crusader Order.
Heartily endorsed.
Book Review: A true masterpeice!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I read this incredible book in 1989 I started on a journey of exploration for the truth. With my eyes and mind wide open - I read a book that was so fascinating that I read it 3 times within a year. This book started an exploration for me - I was exposed to the Knights Templar which led to an exploration of Christianity and the Masons, etc. The list goes on and on. Eco is the best - I just wish that he would write more so I could fill my mind with his beautiful words.