So you’ve finally read it! I read this book for the first time when I was sixteen and had just the right combination of intellectual arrogance, philosophical interest and youthful naivety to be the perfect target for this novel. As someone that was neck deep into Theosophy, occult philosophy, sociology and flexing my argumentative muscles in online discussions, I was captivated from the very moment Casaubon’s borderline arrogant dismissal of the girl without glasses failing to grasp the majesty of the Pendulum swinging before her eyes, and the bespectacled boy desperately trying (and failing) to impress her with prepared knowledge. From there on, Belbo took me away to a world of knowledge where facts can be used to convey every message you want. Where intelligent people that lack the creativity to make original content can manipulate the content of others to not only create something new, but shape reality (at least in the eyes of the Très). Or, at the very least, “uncover” a truth that becomes self-evident. After that, Aglié was introduced as an almost godlike intellectual, whose words captivate not only our three protagonist, but that impressionable sixteen year old too. Until Lia, that is. Lia is probably my favorite character ever. In a novel filled with genuine geniuses tripping over themselves to find exponentially deeper levels to The Plan, Lia is the only one with the intellectual sobriety to deconstruct everything down to the content of a grocery list. And the ending. Oh my god, the ending. Belbo’s final arc, going through the emotional rollercoaster of finding out his fictional plot was real, the realization that he fell victim to the same fallacies of the Très (with a noose tied around his neck!), and the final heroic stand of a lifelong coward that always hated himself for being one. It was a gut punch like I’d never experienced before, and don’t think I’ve experienced since. It was absolutely perfect. Me gavte la nata indeed, Belbo. You magnificent bastard. I actually met Eco, once, when he came to Amsterdam to promote The Prague Cemetery. I was dying to ask him if he thought Lia would be able to persuade the Très of their fallacies when they inevitably found her. I chickened our though, so I’ll never have my answer. Even so, reading Foucault’s Pendulum for the first time genuinely changed my view on the world an influenced my character. It turned me into a lifelong Eco fan and even though I’ve read 30+ books from him, this one remains my absolute favorite. Even after rereading it at least once a year. “Malchoet is Malchoet and that’s that” is still a prevailing sentiment, far into my academic and professional life.
Thank you for a beautiful comment :) you're still lucky you met him! I very much agree with Lia, and with the ending. The final chapters are among the novel's strongest in a way that is very counter-intuitive (an unenlightened editor would say the book carries on way too long after it reaches the action's apex) and I keep thinking back, in particular, to Belbo's recollection of his perfect moment, when he played the trumpet at that funeral ceremony. Truly it's such a majestic novel. I'd love to go back to it soon.
The_Bookchemist It truly is. Watching your review made me pick it up again. It’s been a while since I read it. I’ve always particularly appreciated the juxtaposition of Belbo’s frozen cowardice on the battlefield with the stance he takes when facing certain death. He had lifelong aspiration to be a hero and to make a difference, and the acceptance of who he is at the very end really hit me hard. Belbo’s realization was almost the exact antithesis of what makes comic books so popular: instead of providing the illusion that all of us can be the hero that changes the world, if the circumstances were there, it’s quite the opposite. Not even the most powerful people in the world are exempt from fallacies that are inherent to every single human on earth. They don’t have a superior insight, not even when they think they do. And not even the most influential people will change the fact that the world will keep turning, and people are what they are. Malkhuth is Malkuth and that’s that. There is no Plan, fuck you all, Me gavte la nata. I love it!
The_Bookchemist I did manage to get my first edition copy of Foucault’s Pendulum signed and take a picture with him though, which was still cool as hell. I wrote about meeting him on the Fictional Woods forum: www.tapatalk.com/groups/thefictionalwoods/so-i-met-eco-last-weekend-t1653.html?amp=1
The_Bookchemist Interesting point about the ending though. The ending was what made it such a perfect book for me, and I always thought it came to a close in the final two chapters. But if you’re referring to the twist about the Plan being the ending, you could argue that it goes on for too long beyond that point. To me, that twist was never the point of the books. It’s about what people do, or how they react, when they see their reality crumble before their eyes.
Eco was at the peak when he wrote Foucault’s Pendulum. Dullmea has a really nice video/music piece inspired by this book that totally capture’s this idea of always finding a connection if you are obsessed with that
I feel like the difficulties of adapting Foucault's Pendulum would only serve to make it a better movie. That means that a lot would have to be changed and replaced, resulting in a more original work of art. How would you make a movie of the nearly 100-page stretch of just the editors adding obscure history to the Plan? A great director (like Kubrick?) would kinda bend the novel into something new. plus to be honest i just want to see the final scene of casaubon walking out into that field. Would be really beautiful on a big screen
(heavy spoilers) To me, the book is a complete deconstruction of reality ("nothing means anything!?!") with the last two chapters explaining how to find happiness despite the meaninglessness. It is amazing. Belbo's note on the trumpet is like our lives: finite, though he keeps blowing as though it will last forever, and pointless, because no one hears it over the celebratory gunfire. But he felt such joy and enlightenment in that moment. The final gut punch is Casaubon standing in the field, thinking about his imminent death, and choosing to simply appreciate the beauty of the hills instead of worrying. Even then, he finds meaning in his death, choosing to martyr himself simply to ridicule Tres, just like what Belbo did. Why bother about death if it will come anyway? It's almost like a textbook on life. That entire penultimate chapter with the war in *** ending is so, so beautiful. It reminds me a lot of the beginning of The Recognitions.
This. This is exactly what I got out of it. It’s so ingrained in my way of looking at the world that I can’t have a debate on futile things without “Malkhut is Malkhut and that’s that” echoing in my head.
@@Splackavellie85 Hey man, your comment that's at the top of the comment section is really inspiring. I read it again, and it shows how important literature can be in our lives. If we got the same point out of the book I guess that means that it's likely we are both correct about it?...
I read this book in my teens back in the 90’s. As another commenter mentioned, this was such a great age to read Foucault’s Pendulum. It conveyed the mystique of what an academic life could be like in the future to a young person. But looking back in middle age it is now combined with a nostalgia for pre-internet days, when a computer was still just a word processor. I wanted then and I want even more now to go to Pilad’s bar and talk with interesting and intelligent people over whiskies late into the night, figuring out deep mysteries. It’s a kind of Heavenly vision to me that I’ve only experienced glimpses of in real life. But that it another reason that I love this book, over and above it’s amazing presentation of such an important message. The tragedy of ignorance as I think you put it so well.
Very interesting how you spoke about the semiotic nature and how you should know more about that. I read this book over ten years ago but I was reminded of how my strategy developed in order to follow the plot. After realising it would take a lifetime to research all the references I just accepted them, at first quizically and over time, completely. This for me was the genius of the book, you are forced by design to make the same mistakes as the narrator.... and as (I) sat on that Hillside in Corsica and realized what (I) had done. Great review
I think you would really like The Prague Cemetery. I’ve rarely read a book that could simultaneously made me feel depressed about the fundamentals of human nature, yet make me laugh so much. It often gets compared to Foucault’s Pendulum because both deal with interwoven conspiracies. To me, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana has always been a far better compliment to Foucault’s Pendulum, though. Not because they share a similar plot (they don’t) or because they’re written in a similar way (they aren’t). To me, Queen Loana shows how deeply autobiographical Belbo’s character was. Its third and final part delve much deeper into the theme of cowardice, the cost of being a coward and the risk (and great cost) of being brave. This was one of the most fascinating aspects of Foucault’s Pendulum to be and it beautifully comes to a close in Queen Loana’s story of the Gorge explaining everything that shaped Yambo’s character (and lifelong regrets). It got mediocre reviews and is mostly dismissed in Eco’s bibliography, but I love it. It might not carry the weight, both literally and literary, as his other novels, but I consider the third part of Queen Loana to be among the very best things Eco has ever written!
I still have about 150 pages to go. I've been begging all my friends to read it so we could talk about it. What an amazing writer. I like this even better than Name of the Rose which I just re-read prior to reading this. Thank you so much for your comments and perspective. It is wonderful to know there are others who appreciate it so much as well.
Foucault's Pendulum is a great intellectual entertainment. I think in some ways, that like a pendulum, the book returns you to the starting point, leaving you none the wiser, but it's been a wonderful ride. I read it in two days, so there is no doubt about its compulsive readability. I have to say that I loved the historical detail in The Name of the Rose, but I realise I may be in the minority.
I don't necessarily think you are - Name of the Rose definitely has more fans than Pendulum! As a fun fact, Eco himself thought Rose was his least accomplished novel - but, as he himself theorized, a writer's opinion on their books means nothing to the process of interpretation.
I just received my Folio Society edition of the book today and thought it was as good a time as any to start rereading it again. With knowledge of the full story, the first several chapters are an absolute joy to read. I’m barely a hundred pages in, but I’m falling in life with this novel all over again, even if I’ve read it over fifteen times already. Even knowing the plot and characters by heart, it’s still a discovery how beautifully written this book is. It flows perfectly, has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read, and challenges The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Winnie-the-Pooh as the most quotable book ever for me. Every single time I reread it, I’m convinced all over again: this is the best book I have ever read. And the Folio Society (while ridiculously expensive) is absolutely gorgeous.
I’m nearly at the end again, and I’m convinced once again (on multiple occasions) why this is my favorite book of all time, and why Eco stands head and shoulders above every “smart” novelist in my opinion. The difference, at least for me, is the complete lack of pretentiousness. Even though FP has multiple layers, deals with occult philosophy and throws in a lot of historical exposition, it always feels in support of the story Eco is telling. Unlike many others, Eco never displays how smart he is or how much he knows, just for the sake of flexing. In contrary, if you’re familiar with his academic works, it almost seems like he’s holding back, choosing instead just to tell an interesting story that just happens to spawn a lot of anecdotal information from his encyclopedic mind. Unlike Pynchon, Joyce or Rand, Eco never talks down to his readers, or tries to challenge them just for the sake of it. Rather, he’s an unbelievably intelligent man that wrote a novel he’d like to read, this making the assumption that his readers are smart enough to get references without him having to hold their hand. I can’t express how much I love this book. Which is saying a lot, since I tend to check out when a novel gets too tough.
I always enjoy reading your comments on Eco, and you make me feel like reading more of his works - or re-reading Foucault's! I'd love to make Eco a larger part of my future research projects ;)
I'm rereading it now, and wanted to check out your review again. I would really recommend Confessions of a Young Novelist to you for some interesting insight to how Eco wrote his novels. He basically starts with a few ideas, and uses the novel as a way of connecting those ideas. On Foucault's Pendulum, he explains the Brazil portion as a necessity. Eco wanted his characters to have experiences the student riots, but he also needed Belbo to have his word processor, which became available years later. That is why he sent Casaubon to Italy to bridge that gap in time. But leave it to Eco to take an inconvenience and make it essential to the plot. Casaubon probably wouldn't have entrenched himself so deeply in Belbo's obsession with the Plan if he didn't experience the esoteric rites in Brazil, and wouldn't have accepted Lia's reasoning if he hadn't first been with Amparo. This book is so perfectly layered. I don't know how many times I've read it, but I still discover new things in it. Even though at this point it simultaneously feels like catching up with old friends. There is still no competition: this is my favorite novel of all time!
My favorite reading during the summer holiday. I get it every year with me at the seaside. At the beginning is a little bit scary, but you have to carry on the reading and everything is falling in its place after a while.
I finished it on friday mate and I agree with lots of what you said. I listened to the audiobook so I could zone out from the religious rants if they got too uninteresting. That one grumpy old prick, you know the one, has the most boring rants about Jesus never laughing etc. I can imagine reading would have made it much harder to keep going with those sections and how dense it would be at times. Great overall.
i knew it. i knew that you were going to find Il pendolo amazing. it’s totally up your alley. i looooove the ending with that “e allora tanto vale stare qui, attendere e guardare la collina. È così bella.”
Wow, I really enjoy reading Foucault’s Pendulum, an awesome novel, rereading it with more insight, different levels, similar to Thomas Pynchon novels, try also Fernando del Paso, Palinuro of Mexico, Take Five by D.K. Mano, Novel Explosives by Jim Gauer, all these books are fantastic, and a dictionary is necessary just looking words, and lots of information, even Book of Numbers by Joshua Cohen. 📚🤓
I am about to begin this novel. Unrelated, your English is beautiful, you have a good grasp of many of the nuances and turns of phrase. Thank you for the video, sir.
Hey, great review! Something you said really got my attention. You mentioned him having many detractors in Italy. In Brazil, he's considered an important scholar. His theoretical works are read in universities, but hardly anyone knows about his novels - except for "The Name of the Rose". Personally, I do love him and revel in his writings and lectures, and always imagined he was somehow an unanimity in Italy. I wonder if you could talk more about the reception of his work in general, and of himself as a public intellecual in Italy? Thank you so much, and keep up the good work.
It's very difficult to do justice to the complexities of the situation, and to give a fair assessment of the opposition against Eco as a passionate fan of his. The right attacked him because of his anti-fascist positions; the left criticised him, and postmodernism in general, because it was seen as lacking a political dimension and aim, and was seen as playful and escapist rather than striving toward societal improvement. Overall, though, the biggest criticism moved against Eco is that he was "too much" of an intellectual, and that his books are very clever and cerebral (in a show-offy but empty way) but lack an emotional, passionate, heartfelt side. Which is crap if you ask me!, but there you have it. (Also keep in mind that us Italians are an especially spiteful people when it comes to success in general: in every aspect of culture, from music to literature to film, successful creators are widely despised for the very fact that they were successful.)
After the first 70 pages, it becomes so addictive that you simply stop living in order to read it. The only 700-pages book one reads in 10 days: the first 5 days, for the first 70 pages, the other 5 days for the remaining 630 pages.
Let me know how it goes! Totally agree with Vins and Sudev - once you get past a certain point (once you start getting the story of the Templars) it turns from cryptic to addictive very fast.
It's really helpful for the first 50 pages to google everything you don't understand. Latter in the book it helps a lot, and makes an extraordinary read
I've now finished Foucault's Pendulum and have to say it was amazing. Can't really discuss it in terms of plot and the end scenes of the book, as it would obviously spoil things for people, but if you're on the fence, read this book. It's a bit of a force of nature. I've started The Prague Cemetery now.
I have really enjoyed the book and I must confess I kept my cellphone close so I could research what the author referenced... A wonderful book, very deep but wonderful.
good tool I use to help me Observe/listen/Learn/think/Read/Write/Speak is=Grammar/Knowledge=Who/What/Where/When -Logic/Understanding=Why-Rhetoric/Wisdom=How.
I read the book while I was in Paris. I went and saw Le Pendule Foucault so I could picture this well. The novel started out very interesting and I could see it as a movie. However, it got lost in a lot of boring dialogue and didn't move into the plot I was eagerly awaiting. Would I show myself as a low brow American reader to wish it was half that length and got into some action and well laid out linear conspiracy?
So I've had this book on my shelf now for a while, but never really got around to reading it. Having finally gotten to read The Name of the Rose though, I definitely have to!
I would really like to hear your thoughts about The Island of the Day Before. I feel like that’s the only one of Eco’s novels that I never really understood, and rereading it is always a challenge. It’s a bit frustrating for me, because I love all his other novels. Maybe your perspective could shed some light on what I’m missing with this one.
The novel is absolutely splendid in it oratorical splendor, in that I felt I was being serenaded, as I eavesdropped silently along the perifery. The linguistic facility speaks directly to me as it articulates the mysticism of Knight Templars & Rusicrucians of which I am infinitely curious. Admittedly it was a difficult read, but that's what encapsulated the pleasurable challenge. I craved the timely sequences of dangling participles to the point of addiction. I was hooked. Can we say, the definition of a Masterpiece!!!!
I have not Read anything by Umberto Eco, Maybe after Thomas Pynchon. This year I started to read Michael Chabon based on your recommendations. Maybe in a distant future I will get to Eco! Love to see your excitement for it!
Intellectual Reads I’d definitely recommend starting with either The mysterious flame of Queen Loana, or The Prague Cemetery. The Prague Cemetery is probably the best introduction to Eco’s novels, because it’s a near perfect blend of Foucault’s Pendulum and The Name of the Rose, while still managing to be infinitely more accessible than either of those two. It combines FP’s conspiracy theories and deconstruction of human behavior with the rich historical storytelling and giving new meaning to real history of TNOTR. It’s a truly, truly captivating read. The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana is probably the novel that is least like Eco’s other novels. It’s a breeze to read (aside from the slow middle section in the attic, which I imagine would be more fun for Italian readers) and is a very small, personal story, instead of the grand plotting that’s typical of the other novels. It’s a semi-autobiographic retelling of the tragedy of Cyrano the Bergerac, dipped in a base of love for reading and writing. The final third, judged in itself, is probably my favorite writing by Eco. I love, love, LOVE the story of the Gorge. Foucault’s Pendulum is my all time favorite, and was the first book by Eco that I read. But I would definitely recommend either of the two mentioned above over Foucault’s Pendulum as an introduction to Eco.
"basically this is very much a very long very complex and very upsetting study of ignorance " Couldn't agree more. Seems to me the subtext of the collective works of Eco, Nabokov and Orwell is a disgust with a kind of arrogance and ignorance which they see as underlying most of human cruelty, baseness and nastiness. There is a kind of playfulness and irreverence which belies a moral seriousness that then takes some time to really discover.
A German radio station produced an audio play based on the book (kinda like turning a book into a movie) some ten years (?) ago, and I enjoyed it very much. I don't recall how many hours it was, but they had split it into several parts of each one hour, I believe. Perhaps, I will read the book, too, but there is always so much.
Just happened to reread this book (after 15 years) very recently. I suspect that the translation (I'm American) is not exactly pristine & you're correct, the references are outrageous; I was able to identify or absorb about 1/4 of them. I liked quite a lot of it but I wanted to say I enjoyed this discussion of the book. All the important themes are in this video in perfect detail. Thanks!
Thanks for the comment Ryan - I'd love to check an English translation to see how the book is preserved, though truth be told I don't envy any translator having to deal with something of this sort!
The_Bookchemist Its a funny phenomenon. For example, I can't imagine how DeLillo gets translated properly. I only speak English but grew up on a Mexican/American border around a lot of Spanish speaking & have found that I can eke out a translation of a Mexican newspaper article. But I once tried to read a Mexican novel (Isabel Allende, in Spanish), cold, and I was mistaking simple words like "necklace" for odd concepts like "emotional decoration", or vice versa. Funny....
I really disliked Baudolini at first, and it is probably still my least favorite novel by Umberto Eco. It’s still an amazing read, though. Even if “De Valse Dageraad” by Jan van Aken is a better version of a similar concept.
I know you are working on a literature PHD and I really enjoy your topic of escapism by the way , regardless of if it changes over time or not. Have you thought of teaching or writing? I apologize if you have already addressed this question and I missed it but I certainly , if I were still a student, would NOT find you to be a dull lecturer. In fact you already feel like one of the many teachers I have enjoyed in life and learned so much from. Even considering I am fairly certain I am way older than you, which , you know we usually learn from our elders at least in American society. At least in the institutional form of education. But I think that is cool and would love for that to not ever be a factor. I no longer think of it as one. And no longer understand why it is such a prevalent form of thinking here and my guess is in many colleges and universities around the world. I don't know why we have this ingrained idea that if we are older than someone they can not teach us or they are not old enough to have the required wisdom that comes with age or some bullshit.
An interesting take on the wisdom that comes with time ^^ and thank you for your kind comment! I would indeed love to pursue a career in academia and I have done/been doing some teaching as part of my PhD. We'll see how that goes!
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I'm rereading this book for the third time, and I've noticed that the first chapter makes more sense now. I mean, you kinda have to read the novel from start to finish, and then once done, you go back to chapter one and read it again! I see chapter one as a some sort of all over the place summary of the whole book!
Totally - I remember I was quite confused by that chapter, and was so relieved when we moved to the story of the narrator's youth and university experience, and things started making sense ;)
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@@TheBookchemist it goes to show Eco's incredible talent when it comes to telling a story! And I'm also doing some research in the meaning of the kabbalah and it makes more sense now.
This is a book that intimidates the heck out of me. I guess that maybe because people tend to find it a bit dry and like you said, it feels longer than it actually is....and it's quite long already. But I've always been curious about it, and your review is, as always, a great one and it gave my some motivation to actually pick it up. But atm I'm in a damn reading slump, so I don't think it's the best time to pick it up. But I will!
The best way I found to approach this book was just to dive in. I didn't get every single reference but I was/am so taken with the language used, the in depth descriptions of occultism from ages past and the down right surrealism of certain parts, that it gets really addictive!
As Paul said, this is truly the kind of book you enjoy more because of the experience than anything else. It took me a month to finish it, but every time I picked it up I was happy I could go back to Eco's wondrous (and sinister) world. Best of luck with it when you give it a chance :)
After finishing listening to this in audiobook form on youtube while at gym, walking dog, and at work I regret that I had not legitimately sat down and read it. I have a good idea of the thoughts that are touched in the book but didn't get to fully experience the characters and message as I would if I had read it. Will need to go back and read it in the future because I missed out on a lot by listening.
Another great and enthusiastic review here. This year I've already read at least three recommendations of yours (remember that I'm brazilian and not all of what you recommend is still available or even translated). Now I want to know, what is the best Eco's book (fiction) to start in his work?
For all that Eco is among my very favorite writers, I have only read three of his novels: Name of the Rose, Numero Zero, and Foucault's Pendulum. Part of it is for reasons of time, part of it because I want to spread the pleasure of discovering his ouvre over time. Among these three, Foucault's is hands-down the best, but it's also the longest and, possibly, the most difficult. I feel like Numero Zero is a good introduction into his way of writing, style, and themes - and it's also short and enjoyable - but know that some readers weren't too hot about it when it came out. If you're not easily scared, go with Foucault's Pendulum; if you're on the fence, go with Numero Zero ;)
Every time I read this book (about once a decade), it hits differently, but it remains my favorite book. My most recent read was wild - in the era of Q-anon, after January 6, to read this book - just a whole different experience. I came away thinking the ending meant something totally different; anyone can fall for a conspiracy. Was anyone out to get Casaubon, or did he just fall prey to the same crazy "theory of everything"?
Because it's very long, I've read about how difficult it is, and what little I know about it makes me suspect it might not be my cup of tea. One never knows though! I have the same fear when it comes to 2666 but, with that one, I have much stronger grounds to believe it's the book for me (most notably cause I enjoyed Bolano's The Third Reich and The Savage Detectives immensely) and I hope I'll be able to read it soon!
@@TheBookchemist I see, I see. To tell you the truth, I come across your interview after type in my last comment and I see that The Recognitions and 2666 is two of the books that have intimidated you. Anyway, I have yet to read The Recognitions, but I did read some previews on Amazon and I thought that the writing style is quiet similar to Pynchon. For 2666, do read it. I won’t spoil it.
My favourite book by Eco besides Baudolino. Foucalt's Pendulum is also a hilarous parody (and antidote) for everybody who knows and read the literature of 19th and 20th century occulticism, Eliphas Levi, René Guénon, Julius Evola and sorts. It's kinda fun, how deep knowledge Eco shows on that kind of stuff. He was clearly fascinated by it, but also ridicules it the same time.
I would say, that this book became my bible, even thought I'm aware that this is, having read this multiple times, a contradiction. A true masterpiece, and more relevant than ever. Q'Anon reminds me of TRES
If anyone having difficulty reading this book, audio version is more enjoyable with excellent narration: Part 1: ua-cam.com/video/Scoyeq3NPoY/v-deo.html Part 2: ua-cam.com/video/KQBgDgW0fLw/v-deo.html
Braxant The English translation is absolutely fantastic. I’d even argue that it’s worth it to re-read it in English if you’ve read it in Italian. There’s an essay floating around somewhere by William Weaver on the art of translating a famous author, and he uses Eco many times throughout with examples of conscious decisions to prioritize the author’s meaning over the exact words. Eco himself has expressed the same in many publications, like in Language and Lunacy for example. I don’t know about his other novels, but I do know that each chapter of the translations of Foucault’s Pendulum and The Name of the Rose were read and approved by Eco himself before publishing. I first read Foucault’s Pendulum in the Dutch translation and it took me nearly a month to get through. Half a year later, blew through the English translation in less than a week, and enjoyed it exponentially more. There’s a reason that Weaver is such a legendary translator. So, if the translation gets the approval from Eco himself, there is absolutely no reason not to read it in English
(Just changed the channel's profile) but I'm still that 15-year-old guy. Thanks very much for doing this video, at present I'm finishing reading If On A Winter's Night a Traveler (original version, yep I'm Italian), but I think I'll read GR next and then I would start reading Eco. Calvino's definitely my favoutite Italian postmodernist writer. Do you read comic strips as well as novels?? At present I'm reading "Calvin and Hobbes" and "Zits" treasuries. I recommend them a lot 'cause they made you a laugh very easily. Talking abuot music do you like George Micheal's songs??😊
Before I get to the main thing I want to say, let me mention the joke about the second reviewer who walks into a bar and says that this is not the joke he would have written. With all the wonderful extremely colorful and far out history and crackpot ideas that Eco's characters get into, I wonder if Eco was tempted to have them characters also get into Shabtai Zvi (and the Frankists et al.). That was a very strange episode in history, and strangely partly forgotten among the general public, even the educated general public.
For a fairly quick and easily accessible review of the history of Shabtai Zvi, I like the relevant entries in the Encyclopedia Judaica, which were written by Gershom Scholem.
I'm going to read that book. You probably get this question a lot but do you read the translations or in Italian and what is your thoughts on the translations?
I read Italian works in Italian and everything else in English! My thought is: if it's at all possible for you to read a book in the original, even though with difficulties and by taking your time, by all means you should; otherwise, there's really nothing wrong with reading in translation ;)
I'm halfway through this book and I don't feel that I've really made any progress. I do have a clear understanding of the occult, divination, and secret societies but it's not really making a lot of headway. I'm going to stop listening to people's recommendations. I'm glad I didn't pay for this book.
I loved the premise and the subject,, but I wish there were other characters to deal with. I didn't find Belbo a particularly interesting character, or maybe it was the perspective I didn't like. seeing him through the eyes of a kind of admirer, Casaubon, but he was an editor that couldn't write. what was so admirable? like Eco is trying to make us love Belbo by making us listen to Casaubon, who admires him and finds his personality very fascinating but why? the story of his childhood with the trumpet and the girl is boring as fuck too. The Name of the Rose is full of great characters, but this... and why are the girls in the book so nerdy and fascinated with these guys? they drink at a bar like they're cool and shit, but come on... Diotallevi... what is this character other than cabalistic shit exposition. And the pinball girl and her story with Belbo is tedious too. The episode in Brazil is interesting but Casaubon is not, so it's not great. All that minnie mouse, string of zeugmas bullshit, I don't like it. I've read it 3 or 4 times throughout my life and every time I try to love it more, but I only hate it more, especially the Abulafia bits, those are a chore. I want to read about templars and secret societies but I get interrupted all the time by this guys's affairs and melancholies of the past. or by Casaubon's life and career, which are also super-boring. After a few readings, and being a long time fan, I say fuck this book.
The level of historical detail actually drove me slightly mad because the characters were so good at spinning connections that every so often I had to go, "wait, DID Bacon write Don Quixote?!" and then realize the characters had lulled me in again.
Imo, Eco had Elon Musk smarts supplemented with Eco's erudition, his books are very playful and self-conscious, this line is recursive, Templars had bitter, terrific smiles. I don't know. His convictions are palpable but then aren't expressed, maybe Lia echoes his character, they're rather reflected in the execution. He was more a scientist than an artist, which means his books are friendly although they have no soul, so bring your own. I think this is about two attitudes clashing in the process of creation. ? It's about intellectual discipline vs enthusiasm. About honesty?
I feel that his books have a very strong "soul," personally, although I see your point; I believe that maybe, just maybe, some of the points he want to make resonate in particular with academics - scientists, as you say, whatever sciences they study, human sciences included. As Casaubon says at one point in the book, the world is broken, and all knowledge is corrupt, but some forms of knowledge are less corrupt than others; which is something I (and, I am confident, any honest academic) feels deeply, a feeling that is depressed all the time by some of today's worlds form of stupidity, distrust in facts, distrust in academia, etc - some of the tendencies, indeed, embraced by Pendulum's cast of occultists and "diabolisti."
So you’ve finally read it!
I read this book for the first time when I was sixteen and had just the right combination of intellectual arrogance, philosophical interest and youthful naivety to be the perfect target for this novel. As someone that was neck deep into Theosophy, occult philosophy, sociology and flexing my argumentative muscles in online discussions, I was captivated from the very moment Casaubon’s borderline arrogant dismissal of the girl without glasses failing to grasp the majesty of the Pendulum swinging before her eyes, and the bespectacled boy desperately trying (and failing) to impress her with prepared knowledge.
From there on, Belbo took me away to a world of knowledge where facts can be used to convey every message you want. Where intelligent people that lack the creativity to make original content can manipulate the content of others to not only create something new, but shape reality (at least in the eyes of the Très). Or, at the very least, “uncover” a truth that becomes self-evident.
After that, Aglié was introduced as an almost godlike intellectual, whose words captivate not only our three protagonist, but that impressionable sixteen year old too. Until Lia, that is.
Lia is probably my favorite character ever. In a novel filled with genuine geniuses tripping over themselves to find exponentially deeper levels to The Plan, Lia is the only one with the intellectual sobriety to deconstruct everything down to the content of a grocery list. And the ending. Oh my god, the ending. Belbo’s final arc, going through the emotional rollercoaster of finding out his fictional plot was real, the realization that he fell victim to the same fallacies of the Très (with a noose tied around his neck!), and the final heroic stand of a lifelong coward that always hated himself for being one. It was a gut punch like I’d never experienced before, and don’t think I’ve experienced since. It was absolutely perfect. Me gavte la nata indeed, Belbo. You magnificent bastard.
I actually met Eco, once, when he came to Amsterdam to promote The Prague Cemetery. I was dying to ask him if he thought Lia would be able to persuade the Très of their fallacies when they inevitably found her. I chickened our though, so I’ll never have my answer.
Even so, reading Foucault’s Pendulum for the first time genuinely changed my view on the world an influenced my character. It turned me into a lifelong Eco fan and even though I’ve read 30+ books from him, this one remains my absolute favorite. Even after rereading it at least once a year. “Malchoet is Malchoet and that’s that” is still a prevailing sentiment, far into my academic and professional life.
Thank you for a beautiful comment :) you're still lucky you met him! I very much agree with Lia, and with the ending. The final chapters are among the novel's strongest in a way that is very counter-intuitive (an unenlightened editor would say the book carries on way too long after it reaches the action's apex) and I keep thinking back, in particular, to Belbo's recollection of his perfect moment, when he played the trumpet at that funeral ceremony. Truly it's such a majestic novel. I'd love to go back to it soon.
The_Bookchemist It truly is. Watching your review made me pick it up again. It’s been a while since I read it.
I’ve always particularly appreciated the juxtaposition of Belbo’s frozen cowardice on the battlefield with the stance he takes when facing certain death. He had lifelong aspiration to be a hero and to make a difference, and the acceptance of who he is at the very end really hit me hard. Belbo’s realization was almost the exact antithesis of what makes comic books so popular: instead of providing the illusion that all of us can be the hero that changes the world, if the circumstances were there, it’s quite the opposite. Not even the most powerful people in the world are exempt from fallacies that are inherent to every single human on earth. They don’t have a superior insight, not even when they think they do. And not even the most influential people will change the fact that the world will keep turning, and people are what they are. Malkhuth is Malkuth and that’s that. There is no Plan, fuck you all, Me gavte la nata.
I love it!
The_Bookchemist I did manage to get my first edition copy of Foucault’s Pendulum signed and take a picture with him though, which was still cool as hell. I wrote about meeting him on the Fictional Woods forum: www.tapatalk.com/groups/thefictionalwoods/so-i-met-eco-last-weekend-t1653.html?amp=1
The_Bookchemist Interesting point about the ending though. The ending was what made it such a perfect book for me, and I always thought it came to a close in the final two chapters. But if you’re referring to the twist about the Plan being the ending, you could argue that it goes on for too long beyond that point.
To me, that twist was never the point of the books. It’s about what people do, or how they react, when they see their reality crumble before their eyes.
I was 19 when I first read it!
I have about a hundred pages of this left to read. It is so immersive, I absolutely love it.
I read this book decades ago and then reread it once and it is one of my all time favorite books! Well done in your review!
Tried to read this book. I gave up.
Watched your review ... I'm going to try it again!
THANK YOU. You are amazing. Suscribed.
Eco was at the peak when he wrote Foucault’s Pendulum. Dullmea has a really nice video/music piece inspired by this book that totally capture’s this idea of always finding a connection if you are obsessed with that
One of the greatest films never made, a list that includes Stanley Kubrick’s adaption of the Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum...
I'd recommend the abridged audiobook version read by Tim Curry. It is almost like a movie while listening to it.
Its too literary a book to be put on screen. Look at the repeated hash Nabokov's most famous work was made into even after repeated tries.
I feel like the difficulties of adapting Foucault's Pendulum would only serve to make it a better movie. That means that a lot would have to be changed and replaced, resulting in a more original work of art. How would you make a movie of the nearly 100-page stretch of just the editors adding obscure history to the Plan? A great director (like Kubrick?) would kinda bend the novel into something new.
plus to be honest i just want to see the final scene of casaubon walking out into that field. Would be really beautiful on a big screen
(heavy spoilers)
To me, the book is a complete deconstruction of reality ("nothing means anything!?!") with the last two chapters explaining how to find happiness despite the meaninglessness. It is amazing. Belbo's note on the trumpet is like our lives: finite, though he keeps blowing as though it will last forever, and pointless, because no one hears it over the celebratory gunfire. But he felt such joy and enlightenment in that moment. The final gut punch is Casaubon standing in the field, thinking about his imminent death, and choosing to simply appreciate the beauty of the hills instead of worrying. Even then, he finds meaning in his death, choosing to martyr himself simply to ridicule Tres, just like what Belbo did. Why bother about death if it will come anyway? It's almost like a textbook on life.
That entire penultimate chapter with the war in *** ending is so, so beautiful. It reminds me a lot of the beginning of The Recognitions.
This. This is exactly what I got out of it. It’s so ingrained in my way of looking at the world that I can’t have a debate on futile things without “Malkhut is Malkhut and that’s that” echoing in my head.
@@Splackavellie85 Hey man, your comment that's at the top of the comment section is really inspiring. I read it again, and it shows how important literature can be in our lives. If we got the same point out of the book I guess that means that it's likely we are both correct about it?...
I read this book in my teens back in the 90’s. As another commenter mentioned, this was such a great age to read Foucault’s Pendulum. It conveyed the mystique of what an academic life could be like in the future to a young person. But looking back in middle age it is now combined with a nostalgia for pre-internet days, when a computer was still just a word processor. I wanted then and I want even more now to go to Pilad’s bar and talk with interesting and intelligent people over whiskies late into the night, figuring out deep mysteries. It’s a kind of Heavenly vision to me that I’ve only experienced glimpses of in real life. But that it another reason that I love this book, over and above it’s amazing presentation of such an important message. The tragedy of ignorance as I think you put it so well.
Thanks for the review! It’s one of my very favorite books. Every time I see a pinball machine, I always think of Belbo’s passage, so good!
My First Eco novel was "Name of the Rose", and I was so impressed I read all of his works. He's a treasure, God Bless Him.
Amico complimenti per aver deciso di condividere le tue impressioni su un libro epocale come "il Pendolo"!
Very interesting how you spoke about the semiotic nature and how you should know more about that. I read this book over ten years ago but I was reminded of how my strategy developed in order to follow the plot. After realising it would take a lifetime to research all the references I just accepted them, at first quizically and over time, completely. This for me was the genius of the book, you are forced by design to make the same mistakes as the narrator.... and as (I) sat on that
Hillside in Corsica and realized what (I) had done. Great review
Wonderful appreciation of Eco's magnificent novel with a fine understanding of why some people don't like it and others do.
I think you would really like The Prague Cemetery. I’ve rarely read a book that could simultaneously made me feel depressed about the fundamentals of human nature, yet make me laugh so much.
It often gets compared to Foucault’s Pendulum because both deal with interwoven conspiracies. To me, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana has always been a far better compliment to Foucault’s Pendulum, though. Not because they share a similar plot (they don’t) or because they’re written in a similar way (they aren’t). To me, Queen Loana shows how deeply autobiographical Belbo’s character was. Its third and final part delve much deeper into the theme of cowardice, the cost of being a coward and the risk (and great cost) of being brave. This was one of the most fascinating aspects of Foucault’s Pendulum to be and it beautifully comes to a close in Queen Loana’s story of the Gorge explaining everything that shaped Yambo’s character (and lifelong regrets).
It got mediocre reviews and is mostly dismissed in Eco’s bibliography, but I love it. It might not carry the weight, both literally and literary, as his other novels, but I consider the third part of Queen Loana to be among the very best things Eco has ever written!
Queen Loana was a fun if seemingly fluffy romp at first that by the end turned into as as moving and poignant a work as any by Eco, agreed.
One of the greatest books I have ever read.
I still have about 150 pages to go. I've been begging all my friends to read it so we could talk about it. What an amazing writer. I like this even better than Name of the Rose which I just re-read prior to reading this. Thank you so much for your comments and perspective. It is wonderful to know there are others who appreciate it so much as well.
Foucault's Pendulum is a great intellectual entertainment. I think in some ways, that like a pendulum, the book returns you to the starting point, leaving you none the wiser, but it's been a wonderful ride. I read it in two days, so there is no doubt about its compulsive readability.
I have to say that I loved the historical detail in The Name of the Rose, but I realise I may be in the minority.
I don't necessarily think you are - Name of the Rose definitely has more fans than Pendulum! As a fun fact, Eco himself thought Rose was his least accomplished novel - but, as he himself theorized, a writer's opinion on their books means nothing to the process of interpretation.
Having only read Name of the Rose, which a friend lent me, I've been thinking I should go for some more Eco! Thanks for making this video
I read this when it came out in the 80s; loved it--I think I enjoyed the reading of it more than I did The Name of the Rose.
I just received my Folio Society edition of the book today and thought it was as good a time as any to start rereading it again.
With knowledge of the full story, the first several chapters are an absolute joy to read. I’m barely a hundred pages in, but I’m falling in life with this novel all over again, even if I’ve read it over fifteen times already. Even knowing the plot and characters by heart, it’s still a discovery how beautifully written this book is. It flows perfectly, has some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read, and challenges The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Winnie-the-Pooh as the most quotable book ever for me.
Every single time I reread it, I’m convinced all over again: this is the best book I have ever read. And the Folio Society (while ridiculously expensive) is absolutely gorgeous.
I’m nearly at the end again, and I’m convinced once again (on multiple occasions) why this is my favorite book of all time, and why Eco stands head and shoulders above every “smart” novelist in my opinion.
The difference, at least for me, is the complete lack of pretentiousness. Even though FP has multiple layers, deals with occult philosophy and throws in a lot of historical exposition, it always feels in support of the story Eco is telling. Unlike many others, Eco never displays how smart he is or how much he knows, just for the sake of flexing. In contrary, if you’re familiar with his academic works, it almost seems like he’s holding back, choosing instead just to tell an interesting story that just happens to spawn a lot of anecdotal information from his encyclopedic mind.
Unlike Pynchon, Joyce or Rand, Eco never talks down to his readers, or tries to challenge them just for the sake of it. Rather, he’s an unbelievably intelligent man that wrote a novel he’d like to read, this making the assumption that his readers are smart enough to get references without him having to hold their hand.
I can’t express how much I love this book. Which is saying a lot, since I tend to check out when a novel gets too tough.
I always enjoy reading your comments on Eco, and you make me feel like reading more of his works - or re-reading Foucault's! I'd love to make Eco a larger part of my future research projects ;)
I've ordered a copy of this book and hope that I will enjoy it at least as much as your review. Thank you! :)
when you said, 'fictions entirely through dialogue,' it reminded me of Camus' the fall
I'm rereading it now, and wanted to check out your review again. I would really recommend Confessions of a Young Novelist to you for some interesting insight to how Eco wrote his novels.
He basically starts with a few ideas, and uses the novel as a way of connecting those ideas. On Foucault's Pendulum, he explains the Brazil portion as a necessity. Eco wanted his characters to have experiences the student riots, but he also needed Belbo to have his word processor, which became available years later. That is why he sent Casaubon to Italy to bridge that gap in time.
But leave it to Eco to take an inconvenience and make it essential to the plot. Casaubon probably wouldn't have entrenched himself so deeply in Belbo's obsession with the Plan if he didn't experience the esoteric rites in Brazil, and wouldn't have accepted Lia's reasoning if he hadn't first been with Amparo.
This book is so perfectly layered. I don't know how many times I've read it, but I still discover new things in it. Even though at this point it simultaneously feels like catching up with old friends.
There is still no competition: this is my favorite novel of all time!
My favorite reading during the summer holiday. I get it every year with me at the seaside. At the beginning is a little bit scary, but you have to carry on the reading and everything is falling in its place after a while.
One of my favorite books. Bought the first American edition back on 1989, have read and re read it many times.
I really appreciate your way of analyzing the book. the book is a unique type of mixing history, philosophy and politics.
Currently reading and loving The Name of the Rose and I will be reading much more eco for sure.
Glad you're enjoying it :)!
I finished it on friday mate and I agree with lots of what you said. I listened to the audiobook so I could zone out from the religious rants if they got too uninteresting. That one grumpy old prick, you know the one, has the most boring rants about Jesus never laughing etc.
I can imagine reading would have made it much harder to keep going with those sections and how dense it would be at times.
Great overall.
i knew it. i knew that you were going to find Il pendolo amazing. it’s totally up your alley. i looooove the ending with that “e allora tanto vale stare qui, attendere e guardare la collina. È così bella.”
Wow, I really enjoy reading Foucault’s Pendulum, an awesome novel, rereading it with more insight, different levels, similar to Thomas Pynchon novels, try also Fernando del Paso, Palinuro of Mexico, Take Five by D.K. Mano, Novel Explosives by Jim Gauer, all these books are fantastic, and a dictionary is necessary just looking words, and lots of information, even Book of Numbers by Joshua Cohen. 📚🤓
I am about to begin this novel. Unrelated, your English is beautiful, you have a good grasp of many of the nuances and turns of phrase. Thank you for the video, sir.
Hey, great review!
Something you said really got my attention. You mentioned him having many detractors in Italy.
In Brazil, he's considered an important scholar. His theoretical works are read in universities, but hardly anyone knows about his novels - except for "The Name of the Rose". Personally, I do love him and revel in his writings and lectures, and always imagined he was somehow an unanimity in Italy.
I wonder if you could talk more about the reception of his work in general, and of himself as a public intellecual in Italy?
Thank you so much, and keep up the good work.
It's very difficult to do justice to the complexities of the situation, and to give a fair assessment of the opposition against Eco as a passionate fan of his. The right attacked him because of his anti-fascist positions; the left criticised him, and postmodernism in general, because it was seen as lacking a political dimension and aim, and was seen as playful and escapist rather than striving toward societal improvement. Overall, though, the biggest criticism moved against Eco is that he was "too much" of an intellectual, and that his books are very clever and cerebral (in a show-offy but empty way) but lack an emotional, passionate, heartfelt side. Which is crap if you ask me!, but there you have it.
(Also keep in mind that us Italians are an especially spiteful people when it comes to success in general: in every aspect of culture, from music to literature to film, successful creators are widely despised for the very fact that they were successful.)
I've tried to read _Foucaul's Pendulum_ at least five times and never made it further than the first 50 pages. Maybe its time for a sixth try.
After the first 70 pages, it becomes so addictive that you simply stop living in order to read it. The only 700-pages book one reads in 10 days: the first 5 days, for the first 70 pages, the other 5 days for the remaining 630 pages.
I made past 100 recently
Once you get into Templar history it's a fun read
Let me know how it goes! Totally agree with Vins and Sudev - once you get past a certain point (once you start getting the story of the Templars) it turns from cryptic to addictive very fast.
Almost gave up but after struggling through roughly 50-60 pages of boring esoterica I finally got hooked.
It's really helpful for the first 50 pages to google everything you don't understand. Latter in the book it helps a lot, and makes an extraordinary read
I've now finished Foucault's Pendulum and have to say it was amazing. Can't really discuss it in terms of plot and the end scenes of the book, as it would obviously spoil things for people, but if you're on the fence, read this book. It's a bit of a force of nature. I've started The Prague Cemetery now.
I have really enjoyed the book and I must confess I kept my cellphone close so I could research what the author referenced... A wonderful book, very deep but wonderful.
I loved how each chapter had a quotation from all kinds of authors.
good tool I use to help me Observe/listen/Learn/think/Read/Write/Speak is=Grammar/Knowledge=Who/What/Where/When -Logic/Understanding=Why-Rhetoric/Wisdom=How.
I read the book while I was in Paris. I went and saw Le Pendule Foucault so I could picture this well. The novel started out very interesting and I could see it as a movie. However, it got lost in a lot of boring dialogue and didn't move into the plot I was eagerly awaiting. Would I show myself as a low brow American reader to wish it was half that length and got into some action and well laid out linear conspiracy?
So I've had this book on my shelf now for a while, but never really got around to reading it. Having finally gotten to read The Name of the Rose though, I definitely have to!
I would really like to hear your thoughts about The Island of the Day Before. I feel like that’s the only one of Eco’s novels that I never really understood, and rereading it is always a challenge. It’s a bit frustrating for me, because I love all his other novels. Maybe your perspective could shed some light on what I’m missing with this one.
The novel is absolutely splendid in it oratorical splendor, in that I felt I was being serenaded, as I eavesdropped silently along the perifery. The linguistic facility speaks directly to me as it articulates the mysticism of Knight Templars & Rusicrucians of which I am infinitely curious. Admittedly it was a difficult read, but that's what encapsulated the pleasurable challenge. I craved the timely sequences of dangling participles to the point of addiction. I was hooked. Can we say, the definition of a Masterpiece!!!!
I have not Read anything by Umberto Eco, Maybe after Thomas Pynchon. This year I started to read Michael Chabon based on your recommendations. Maybe in a distant future I will get to Eco!
Love to see your excitement for it!
Intellectual Reads I’d definitely recommend starting with either The mysterious flame of Queen Loana, or The Prague Cemetery.
The Prague Cemetery is probably the best introduction to Eco’s novels, because it’s a near perfect blend of Foucault’s Pendulum and The Name of the Rose, while still managing to be infinitely more accessible than either of those two. It combines FP’s conspiracy theories and deconstruction of human behavior with the rich historical storytelling and giving new meaning to real history of TNOTR. It’s a truly, truly captivating read.
The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana is probably the novel that is least like Eco’s other novels. It’s a breeze to read (aside from the slow middle section in the attic, which I imagine would be more fun for Italian readers) and is a very small, personal story, instead of the grand plotting that’s typical of the other novels. It’s a semi-autobiographic retelling of the tragedy of Cyrano the Bergerac, dipped in a base of love for reading and writing. The final third, judged in itself, is probably my favorite writing by Eco. I love, love, LOVE the story of the Gorge.
Foucault’s Pendulum is my all time favorite, and was the first book by Eco that I read. But I would definitely recommend either of the two mentioned above over Foucault’s Pendulum as an introduction to Eco.
"basically this is very much a very long very complex and very upsetting study of ignorance "
Couldn't agree more. Seems to me the subtext of the collective works of Eco, Nabokov and Orwell is a disgust with a kind of arrogance and ignorance which they see as underlying most of human cruelty, baseness and nastiness. There is a kind of playfulness and irreverence which belies a moral seriousness that then takes some time to really discover.
A German radio station produced an audio play based on the book (kinda like turning a book into a movie) some ten years (?) ago, and I enjoyed it very much. I don't recall how many hours it was, but they had split it into several parts of each one hour, I believe. Perhaps, I will read the book, too, but there is always so much.
Just finished it. Love it!
My favourite novel.
Just happened to reread this book (after 15 years) very recently. I suspect that the translation (I'm American) is not exactly pristine & you're correct, the references are outrageous; I was able to identify or absorb about 1/4 of them. I liked quite a lot of it but I wanted to say I enjoyed this discussion of the book. All the important themes are in this video in perfect detail. Thanks!
Thanks for the comment Ryan - I'd love to check an English translation to see how the book is preserved, though truth be told I don't envy any translator having to deal with something of this sort!
The_Bookchemist Its a funny phenomenon. For example, I can't imagine how DeLillo gets translated properly. I only speak English but grew up on a Mexican/American border around a lot of Spanish speaking & have found that I can eke out a translation of a Mexican newspaper article. But I once tried to read a Mexican novel (Isabel Allende, in Spanish), cold, and I was mistaking simple words like "necklace" for odd concepts like "emotional decoration", or vice versa. Funny....
Check also Baudolino. I've read it long ago but I have memories that it is as enjoyable and great as Foucaul's Pendulum.
Thanks! I plan to slowly make my way through his ouvre ;)
I really disliked Baudolini at first, and it is probably still my least favorite novel by Umberto Eco.
It’s still an amazing read, though. Even if “De Valse Dageraad” by Jan van Aken is a better version of a similar concept.
An Italian booktuber!! Loving this book, I'm currently listening to it and your video comes up in my recommendations feed. :)
Have fun with it - can't wait to re-read it!
I think it was me who recommended you this! (It must be: it's one of my favourite novels ever, I read it twice!!!) :-)
In that case, thank you so much ;)
Great review, perhaps now you have a few year to reflect on it, may be you can do another review ?
I know you are working on a literature PHD and I really enjoy your topic of escapism by the way , regardless of if it changes over time or not. Have you thought of teaching or writing? I apologize if you have already addressed this question and I missed it but I certainly , if I were still a student, would NOT find you to be a dull lecturer. In fact you already feel like one of the many teachers I have enjoyed in life and learned so much from. Even considering I am fairly certain I am way older than you, which , you know we usually learn from our elders at least in American society. At least in the institutional form of education. But I think that is cool and would love for that to not ever be a factor. I no longer think of it as one. And no longer understand why it is such a prevalent form of thinking here and my guess is in many colleges and universities around the world. I don't know why we have this ingrained idea that if we are older than someone they can not teach us or they are not old enough to have the required wisdom that comes with age or some bullshit.
An interesting take on the wisdom that comes with time ^^ and thank you for your kind comment! I would indeed love to pursue a career in academia and I have done/been doing some teaching as part of my PhD. We'll see how that goes!
I'm rereading this book for the third time, and I've noticed that the first chapter makes more sense now. I mean, you kinda have to read the novel from start to finish, and then once done, you go back to chapter one and read it again! I see chapter one as a some sort of all over the place summary of the whole book!
Totally - I remember I was quite confused by that chapter, and was so relieved when we moved to the story of the narrator's youth and university experience, and things started making sense ;)
@@TheBookchemist it goes to show Eco's incredible talent when it comes to telling a story! And I'm also doing some research in the meaning of the kabbalah and it makes more sense now.
This is a book that intimidates the heck out of me. I guess that maybe because people tend to find it a bit dry and like you said, it feels longer than it actually is....and it's quite long already. But I've always been curious about it, and your review is, as always, a great one and it gave my some motivation to actually pick it up. But atm I'm in a damn reading slump, so I don't think it's the best time to pick it up. But I will!
The best way I found to approach this book was just to dive in. I didn't get every single reference but I was/am so taken with the language used, the in depth descriptions of occultism from ages past and the down right surrealism of certain parts, that it gets really addictive!
Thanks for the incentive, Paul. =)
No problem! If you do get around to reading it one day, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I am.
As Paul said, this is truly the kind of book you enjoy more because of the experience than anything else. It took me a month to finish it, but every time I picked it up I was happy I could go back to Eco's wondrous (and sinister) world. Best of luck with it when you give it a chance :)
I love the book, thanks for your great review!
After finishing listening to this in audiobook form on youtube while at gym, walking dog, and at work I regret that I had not legitimately sat down and read it. I have a good idea of the thoughts that are touched in the book but didn't get to fully experience the characters and message as I would if I had read it. Will need to go back and read it in the future because I missed out on a lot by listening.
Another great and enthusiastic review here. This year I've already read at least three recommendations of yours (remember that I'm brazilian and not all of what you recommend is still available or even translated). Now I want to know, what is the best Eco's book (fiction) to start in his work?
For all that Eco is among my very favorite writers, I have only read three of his novels: Name of the Rose, Numero Zero, and Foucault's Pendulum. Part of it is for reasons of time, part of it because I want to spread the pleasure of discovering his ouvre over time. Among these three, Foucault's is hands-down the best, but it's also the longest and, possibly, the most difficult. I feel like Numero Zero is a good introduction into his way of writing, style, and themes - and it's also short and enjoyable - but know that some readers weren't too hot about it when it came out. If you're not easily scared, go with Foucault's Pendulum; if you're on the fence, go with Numero Zero ;)
Every time I read this book (about once a decade), it hits differently, but it remains my favorite book. My most recent read was wild - in the era of Q-anon, after January 6, to read this book - just a whole different experience. I came away thinking the ending meant something totally different; anyone can fall for a conspiracy. Was anyone out to get Casaubon, or did he just fall prey to the same crazy "theory of everything"?
Your interview of umberto or novel it's good , thanks for the interview
Have u considered The Recognitions by William Gaddis? I’m definitely planning on reading Eco sometime.
Considered? Absolutely! I have had the book at home for ages. Will I read it soon? Probably not D: it terrifies me!
@@TheBookchemist Why? And also, will you read 2666?
Because it's very long, I've read about how difficult it is, and what little I know about it makes me suspect it might not be my cup of tea. One never knows though!
I have the same fear when it comes to 2666 but, with that one, I have much stronger grounds to believe it's the book for me (most notably cause I enjoyed Bolano's The Third Reich and The Savage Detectives immensely) and I hope I'll be able to read it soon!
@@TheBookchemist I see, I see. To tell you the truth, I come across your interview after type in my last comment and I see that The Recognitions and 2666 is two of the books that have intimidated you.
Anyway, I have yet to read The Recognitions, but I did read some previews on Amazon and I thought that the writing style is quiet similar to Pynchon. For 2666, do read it. I won’t spoil it.
My favourite book by Eco besides Baudolino. Foucalt's Pendulum is also a hilarous parody (and antidote) for everybody who knows and read the literature of 19th and 20th century occulticism, Eliphas Levi, René Guénon, Julius Evola and sorts. It's kinda fun, how deep knowledge Eco shows on that kind of stuff. He was clearly fascinated by it, but also ridicules it the same time.
On point review, and one of my favorite reads.
I would say, that this book became my bible, even thought I'm aware that this is, having read this multiple times, a contradiction. A true masterpiece, and more relevant than ever. Q'Anon reminds me of TRES
I read it decades ago based on my brother's recommendation. It starts out slow and then fizzles out all together.
thank you
If anyone having difficulty reading this book, audio version is more enjoyable with excellent narration:
Part 1: ua-cam.com/video/Scoyeq3NPoY/v-deo.html
Part 2: ua-cam.com/video/KQBgDgW0fLw/v-deo.html
Thoughts on the English translation?
Braxant The English translation is absolutely fantastic. I’d even argue that it’s worth it to re-read it in English if you’ve read it in Italian.
There’s an essay floating around somewhere by William Weaver on the art of translating a famous author, and he uses Eco many times throughout with examples of conscious decisions to prioritize the author’s meaning over the exact words. Eco himself has expressed the same in many publications, like in Language and Lunacy for example.
I don’t know about his other novels, but I do know that each chapter of the translations of Foucault’s Pendulum and The Name of the Rose were read and approved by Eco himself before publishing.
I first read Foucault’s Pendulum in the Dutch translation and it took me nearly a month to get through. Half a year later, blew through the English translation in less than a week, and enjoyed it exponentially more. There’s a reason that Weaver is such a legendary translator.
So, if the translation gets the approval from Eco himself, there is absolutely no reason not to read it in English
Sounds like it's about time for me to read Numero Zero.
(Just changed the channel's profile) but I'm still that 15-year-old guy. Thanks very much for doing this video, at present I'm finishing reading If On A Winter's Night a Traveler (original version, yep I'm Italian), but I think I'll read GR next and then I would start reading Eco.
Calvino's definitely my favoutite Italian postmodernist writer.
Do you read comic strips as well as novels??
At present I'm reading "Calvin and Hobbes" and "Zits" treasuries. I recommend them a lot 'cause they made you a laugh very easily.
Talking abuot music do you like George Micheal's songs??😊
It's a good way to choose a partner: if they read it and loved it you're probably a good match 😀
NICE
You should REALLY read The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson.
I wonder if „Faucault's Pendulum“ contributed to recent Italian philosophy ond ontology. I know that „Opera Aperta“ has.
Finished that book today.
Not only didn't like it at all.
It made me realize that Umberto Eco is not a great writer...
Aglie is one of the best villains in all of fiction.
Amazing novel even though kinda exhausting at times with the river of historical information
Will you do videos on the rest of Eco's books?
Certainly! I have them on my shelf and will get to them soon, probably starting with Prague's Cemetery ;)
@@TheBookchemist This summer I read The Name of the Rose and Foucault's Pendulum. It was a great experience.
Before I get to the main thing I want to say, let me mention the joke about the second reviewer who walks into a bar and says that this is not the joke he would have written. With all the wonderful extremely colorful and far out history and crackpot ideas that Eco's characters get into, I wonder if Eco was tempted to have them characters also get into Shabtai Zvi (and the Frankists et al.). That was a very strange episode in history, and strangely partly forgotten among the general public, even the educated general public.
For a fairly quick and easily accessible review of the history of Shabtai Zvi, I like the relevant entries in the Encyclopedia Judaica, which were written by Gershom Scholem.
I'm going to read that book. You probably get this question a lot but do you read the translations or in Italian and what is your thoughts on the translations?
I read Italian works in Italian and everything else in English! My thought is: if it's at all possible for you to read a book in the original, even though with difficulties and by taking your time, by all means you should; otherwise, there's really nothing wrong with reading in translation ;)
Would you recommend an american who knows nothing about italys past to read it?
Yes (because there's plenty of historical explanation in the novel as it is). Some passages or jokes may be lost, but you won't miss too much ;)
Hey bookchemist, what do you do when you aren't making these videos? Are you an academic?
Matteo Russo phd in literature
I’m too stupid for this book.
I know how you feel
So someone has invented perpetual motion 🤔 and the earth spins the same wherever this device is placed 🤔
There is an eleven hour audio book on this 🙄
I'm halfway through this book and I don't feel that I've really made any progress. I do have a clear understanding of the occult, divination, and secret societies but it's not really making a lot of headway. I'm going to stop listening to people's recommendations. I'm glad I didn't pay for this book.
Yay \😀/
I loved the premise and the subject,, but I wish there were other characters to deal with. I didn't find Belbo a particularly interesting character, or maybe it was the perspective I didn't like. seeing him through the eyes of a kind of admirer, Casaubon, but he was an editor that couldn't write. what was so admirable? like Eco is trying to make us love Belbo by making us listen to Casaubon, who admires him and finds his personality very fascinating but why? the story of his childhood with the trumpet and the girl is boring as fuck too. The Name of the Rose is full of great characters, but this... and why are the girls in the book so nerdy and fascinated with these guys? they drink at a bar like they're cool and shit, but come on... Diotallevi... what is this character other than cabalistic shit exposition. And the pinball girl and her story with Belbo is tedious too. The episode in Brazil is interesting but Casaubon is not, so it's not great. All that minnie mouse, string of zeugmas bullshit, I don't like it. I've read it 3 or 4 times throughout my life and every time I try to love it more, but I only hate it more, especially the Abulafia bits, those are a chore. I want to read about templars and secret societies but I get interrupted all the time by this guys's affairs and melancholies of the past. or by Casaubon's life and career, which are also super-boring. After a few readings, and being a long time fan, I say fuck this book.
The level of historical detail actually drove me slightly mad because the characters were so good at spinning connections that every so often I had to go, "wait, DID Bacon write Don Quixote?!" and then realize the characters had lulled me in again.
Imo, Eco had Elon Musk smarts supplemented with Eco's erudition, his books are very playful and self-conscious, this line is recursive, Templars had bitter, terrific smiles. I don't know. His convictions are palpable but then aren't expressed, maybe Lia echoes his character, they're rather reflected in the execution. He was more a scientist than an artist, which means his books are friendly although they have no soul, so bring your own. I think this is about two attitudes clashing in the process of creation. ? It's about intellectual discipline vs enthusiasm. About honesty?
Mr L ... Elon Musk getting mentioned even here
I feel that his books have a very strong "soul," personally, although I see your point; I believe that maybe, just maybe, some of the points he want to make resonate in particular with academics - scientists, as you say, whatever sciences they study, human sciences included. As Casaubon says at one point in the book, the world is broken, and all knowledge is corrupt, but some forms of knowledge are less corrupt than others; which is something I (and, I am confident, any honest academic) feels deeply, a feeling that is depressed all the time by some of today's worlds form of stupidity, distrust in facts, distrust in academia, etc - some of the tendencies, indeed, embraced by Pendulum's cast of occultists and "diabolisti."
"Sa come si scriveva in quel Secolo... era gente senz'anima"