Reviews

Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco

tomsankey's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No

4.5

edithcita's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

larsianu's review against another edition

5.0

To all people, who think this book is too hard, just bite through the first twenty pages. It can be overwhelming but then the author wants you to feel overwhelmed. Go with the flow.

The plot has become well-known: it is a bit like the Da Vinci Code, but without the annoying mistakes, much richer, and much, much better written.

bookmarkhoarder's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

isrightthefirm's review against another edition

challenging informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

pendar's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

testaroscia's review against another edition

4.0

This is a re-read after 30 years, an unlike The Name of the Rose which I loved even more third time round this one bogged down in parts that took the shine off the memories of the first time. It is still a monumental book that sets the standard to which all the wannabe Dan Brown's aspire to in the construction of their Rosicrucian worlds, however I found myself glossing over Belbo's life reflections and it did read as a very interesting reference book with an uneven underlying plot thread. It is worth the challenge though.

cecile87's review against another edition

4.0

It's been many years since I read this book. I recall being drawn to it given my interest in hermetic societies and a curiosity about Umberto Ecco. I prepared myself for, and got, a very dense read. The irony in the story, where very very serious secret societies mistook the writings of a group of journalists (?--I forget the details) as gospel and led to dangerous consequences, sustained me through all the Latin and the various journeys.

Anyway, I was amazed by the density of the writing, which has led me today to the list of other difficult reads.

Maybe I will take on another one.

snarkoman's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It's a must read of intellectual novel. 

malnourish's review

challenging funny 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? Yes

2.0