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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
Great book, but be prepared to be exhausted by anti-Semitism and general misanthropy, served with a side of delusions of grandiosity.
Strangely repulsive and yet simultaneously enticing, this book managed to hold my attention as I turned through it, almost racing to the end so that I could say I was done with it before I became so confused, disturbed, and annoyed with the protagonist that I put it down. It is certainly a bizarre tension, and one that I have rarely experienced while reading a novel, which is certainly to the credit of Mr. Eco. I honestly cannot say that I liked the book, but I am glad that I read it - it was extremely well written and forced me to think intensely on where conspiracies come from, and the whole underworld that is espionage, secret societies and so forth.
Reading this novel brings forth a visceral hatred, similar to what one experiences in reading or hearing works by Hitler or Stalin, and for that, the author must be praised greatly. By no means is this a pleasant, fun, or easy story. The writing is challenging, the subject matter is difficult, the plot is twisting, and the opinions expressed are horrifying. And yet, most of it is true. And Mr. Eco brings the bizarre story of the creation of a fiercely Anti-Semitic work to life in invigorating and electrifying ways.
I would hardly recommend reading this with a weak stomach. And even so, I skimmed over some passages that were overly graphic and obscene. But for the historically minded, especially those with an understanding of some of the intricacies of rebellion, war, espionage, and conspiracy during the late 19th century in Europe, it is a fascinating read. Just read quickly, or you'll find yourself putting the book down out of disgust...and then perhaps picking it back up later because you have to know how the tale ends.
Reading this novel brings forth a visceral hatred, similar to what one experiences in reading or hearing works by Hitler or Stalin, and for that, the author must be praised greatly. By no means is this a pleasant, fun, or easy story. The writing is challenging, the subject matter is difficult, the plot is twisting, and the opinions expressed are horrifying. And yet, most of it is true. And Mr. Eco brings the bizarre story of the creation of a fiercely Anti-Semitic work to life in invigorating and electrifying ways.
I would hardly recommend reading this with a weak stomach. And even so, I skimmed over some passages that were overly graphic and obscene. But for the historically minded, especially those with an understanding of some of the intricacies of rebellion, war, espionage, and conspiracy during the late 19th century in Europe, it is a fascinating read. Just read quickly, or you'll find yourself putting the book down out of disgust...and then perhaps picking it back up later because you have to know how the tale ends.
I almost never abandon a book partway through, and I had to stop reading this one...narrative is difficult to follow, and the subject matter is just not engaging enough for me. There is also a great deal of antisemitism, intended as satirical, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to read and digest.
Es un libro que me ha resultado difícil de valorar (asignar un número de estrellas) aunque tengo vastante claros cuales son sus puntos fuertes y sus fallos.
Para empezar con estos últimos, tengo que decir que el libro a grandes rasgos parece una ropavieja elaborada con las sobras de [b:El péndulo de Foucault|17842|El péndulo de Foucault|Umberto Eco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1260990281l/17842._SY75_.jpg|11221066]. En efecto parece que ha reciclado toda la documentación sobre sectas, judíos y masones que utilizó en ese libro y ha elaborado este otro. Tampoco es muy exitosa la estructura con dos diarios contrapuestos que apuntan a una personalidad múltiple pero que enseguida parece que le cansan y los resume con una especie de narrador que los lee y explica. Finalmente la idea que preside el libro, que es unificar el camino de antisemitismo que llevó a la creación de los Protocolos de los Sabios de Sión bajo una misma mano mientras describe los personajes y hechos históricos que salpicaron este desarrollo con rigor historicista, termina por abrumar la trama, alargandola y dejándola en un final plano y decepcionante.
En cuanto a sus virtudes está un gran arranque que atrapa al lector y lo mantiene hasta la mitad del libro sin problemas; lo novedoso e impresionante de la propuesta que saca a la luz lo peor de la política y la cultura europea del diecinueve exponiendo los peores prejuicios de iglesia, estado y cultura; el brutal mensaje que deja para la actualidad sobre la que resulta imposible no trazar paralelismos y la enorme cultura de Umberto Eco y su facilidad para jugar con ella y manipularla para el lector.
En conjunto virtudes y defectos se equilibran y, aunque salgo del libro un poco decepcionado, me llevo mucho conocimiento y material paara analizar el presente europeo.
Para empezar con estos últimos, tengo que decir que el libro a grandes rasgos parece una ropavieja elaborada con las sobras de [b:El péndulo de Foucault|17842|El péndulo de Foucault|Umberto Eco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1260990281l/17842._SY75_.jpg|11221066]. En efecto parece que ha reciclado toda la documentación sobre sectas, judíos y masones que utilizó en ese libro y ha elaborado este otro. Tampoco es muy exitosa la estructura con dos diarios contrapuestos que apuntan a una personalidad múltiple pero que enseguida parece que le cansan y los resume con una especie de narrador que los lee y explica. Finalmente la idea que preside el libro, que es unificar el camino de antisemitismo que llevó a la creación de los Protocolos de los Sabios de Sión bajo una misma mano mientras describe los personajes y hechos históricos que salpicaron este desarrollo con rigor historicista, termina por abrumar la trama, alargandola y dejándola en un final plano y decepcionante.
En cuanto a sus virtudes está un gran arranque que atrapa al lector y lo mantiene hasta la mitad del libro sin problemas; lo novedoso e impresionante de la propuesta que saca a la luz lo peor de la política y la cultura europea del diecinueve exponiendo los peores prejuicios de iglesia, estado y cultura; el brutal mensaje que deja para la actualidad sobre la que resulta imposible no trazar paralelismos y la enorme cultura de Umberto Eco y su facilidad para jugar con ella y manipularla para el lector.
En conjunto virtudes y defectos se equilibran y, aunque salgo del libro un poco decepcionado, me llevo mucho conocimiento y material paara analizar el presente europeo.
slow-paced
Actually, I didn't manage to finish this book. I had it from the library, and waited quite some time to get it, and since more people had holds on it after me, I couldn't renew it. Of course, when it rains, it pours, so three books I had on hold for months all came through at once. There was no way I could read them all during the time I had them to myself. I got through two of them, but not all three
But here's the point: I'm not going to bother to put a hold on it again. The book didn't grab me; I felt no incentive to finish it. The topic was tedious, the main character wasn't congenial or interesting, and the book didn't seem to be going anywhere interesting. I guess it was too subtle for me.
Eco is considered to be a great thinker and writer, and I LOVED his first big hit, The Name of the Rose, and plan to read it again (I even own my own copy), but this book in no way measures up to that standard, IMHO.
But here's the point: I'm not going to bother to put a hold on it again. The book didn't grab me; I felt no incentive to finish it. The topic was tedious, the main character wasn't congenial or interesting, and the book didn't seem to be going anywhere interesting. I guess it was too subtle for me.
Eco is considered to be a great thinker and writer, and I LOVED his first big hit, The Name of the Rose, and plan to read it again (I even own my own copy), but this book in no way measures up to that standard, IMHO.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Strange and disturbing, particularly given its subject matter. Probably more over my head than I am willing to admit, which is typical of my relationship with Eco's work. He still reigns supreme as the master of the slow moving yet utterly absorbing novel. I kept wondering why I couldn't put it down.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There are some authors, the best example is Borges, that you could read only their work and still be considered a learned and cultivated individual. Umberto Eco is one of them. This books relates the story of the creation of the "Protocols of the elders of Zion", a forgery created mostly to make money from people who were already convinced of its truth. The trip down history lane, from Garibaldi to the Napoleons, was such a comprehensive review of the events from the end of the 19th century, that even if it were poorly told, it isn't, it would have been worth it.
I read this book in the original italian, but was unable to find it in that version here. I am sure even in translation Eco's mastery would come through.
I read this book in the original italian, but was unable to find it in that version here. I am sure even in translation Eco's mastery would come through.