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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
Typical Eco. Like all the Eco's I have read, it focuses on conspiracy and mystical offshoots of religion. Apparently this theme is important to him, since this book is heavily (and oddly) illustrated with portraits from Eco's personal collection. I didn't love it, but I can compare it to other books just to place it on a spectrum. Worse than Foucault's Pendulum, but better than The Name of the Rose. As a study of the development of evil, much better than Mailer's Castle in the Forest.
Perhaps I could appreciate it better with more grounding in the conspiracy-laden milieu of the late 19th century. On the other hand, this book told me enough about the mutual mistrust and plotting that seems dated, but probably carries on in other forms even today.
Perhaps I could appreciate it better with more grounding in the conspiracy-laden milieu of the late 19th century. On the other hand, this book told me enough about the mutual mistrust and plotting that seems dated, but probably carries on in other forms even today.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Molto erudito, Umberto Eco non cambia stile, affina ancora di più il lessico e dimostra una conoscenza della Storia, della Letteratura ma anche delle minuzie dei vecchi tempi assolutamente incredibile. Il romanzo comincia in maniera lenta, finisce in maniera lentuccia, la vicenda non è proprio entusiasmante, il personaggio principale è molto originale e sicuramente indimenticabile. Simonini cavalca il XIX secolo partecipando quasi casualmente a tutti gli eventi più importanti, ma è ovvio il tema principale: l'odio verso gli ebrei, nato non solo da una testa malata (quella di Hitler) come pensano tutti, ma da un antisemitismo che dilagava in tutta Europa.
Piacevole ma non indimenticabile.
Piacevole ma non indimenticabile.
Well done for the most part. It wasn't hard to follow, despite the dual-personality plot element. I thought much of the middle was repetitive, I.e., we've read the same sort of passages already. So, overall, interesting premise with mediocre execution. Not quite hype standards.
A very slow start and often times erratic pace hobble this book. However, it's hard to think of a better modern execution of a villain you're meant to hate being the perspective character. Once finished it's impossible not to see the underlying message of being wary of conspiracy, nationalism, and above all else racism and how they might be used by the state, as a very timely warning.
Fascinating time in European history and great topic - the origins of the Protocols of Zion; but the main character (supposedly the only fictional character in the novel) and the strange plot structure make the book unnecessarily difficult to read and enjoy. I would recommend Eco's other fictional work, but not this one.
I really enjoyed this book. It's so full of historical knowledge that I have to admit a lot of it flew over my head and that's the reason I'm giving it 2 stars. It's purely for the reason that if I had known more of the history described, I would have enjoyed it more I think.
Umberto Eco's style is great and I'd be really happy to read more of his books.
Umberto Eco's style is great and I'd be really happy to read more of his books.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Come descrivere Eco? All'altezza della situazione, come sempre. Voleva parlare di tutta la storia significativa del Risorgimento (quella che ormai non studia più nessuno) e ci è riuscito con abilità e senza perdersi nell'intreccio, che si dipana solo all'ultimo capitolo, con un finale inaspettato quanto ironico. Se la lettura può sembrare difficile e poco avvincente all'inizio, insistete: ne vale la pena.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes