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arinaski's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
mafiabadgers's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First read 07/2024
The road, bordered by poplars, stretched out level before them, opening to them a fragment of boundless universe; the adventurer seeking for power and the adventurer in quest of knowledge strode forward together, side by side.
Marguerite Yourcenar's novel about a sixteenth century alchemist, Zeno of Bruges, forms the second panel of what she called a triptych, consisting also of Memoirs of Hadrian and Anna, Soror... Slightly disappointing compared to Hadrian, who as a character has more humanity, but nonetheless an impressive book. Filled with oodles of research, as much to capture the mindset of the time as archaeological details ("without which a "historical novel" is merely a more or less successful costume ball," as Yourcenar says in her author's note, which is good enough to differentiate between her research and her inventions), it's easily likened to the later The Name of the Rose. Eco's murder mystery, however, takes care to introduce uninformed characters, so that the complexities of contemporary heresy can be explained for the reader's benefit. Yourcencar offers no such support, so her book is a perplexing swirl of names, titles, and allusions that are surprisingly reminiscent of worldbuilding-heavy fantasy or science fiction novel. I like that sort of thing, but mileage may vary.
It is a slow and philosophical book, and while many of its observations are particular to the alchemy of the day, other retain their bite, fifty-six years on:
It is strange that for Christians the supreme evil is constituted of so-called errors of the flesh. No one chastises savagery and brutality, barbarity and injustice with the same fury and disgust. No one will judge those good folk obscene who will come to watch me tomorrow, writing in the flames.
The road, bordered by poplars, stretched out level before them, opening to them a fragment of boundless universe; the adventurer seeking for power and the adventurer in quest of knowledge strode forward together, side by side.
Marguerite Yourcenar's novel about a sixteenth century alchemist, Zeno of Bruges, forms the second panel of what she called a triptych, consisting also of Memoirs of Hadrian and Anna, Soror... Slightly disappointing compared to Hadrian, who as a character has more humanity, but nonetheless an impressive book. Filled with oodles of research, as much to capture the mindset of the time as archaeological details ("without which a "historical novel" is merely a more or less successful costume ball," as Yourcenar says in her author's note, which is good enough to differentiate between her research and her inventions), it's easily likened to the later The Name of the Rose. Eco's murder mystery, however, takes care to introduce uninformed characters, so that the complexities of contemporary heresy can be explained for the reader's benefit. Yourcencar offers no such support, so her book is a perplexing swirl of names, titles, and allusions that are surprisingly reminiscent of worldbuilding-heavy fantasy or science fiction novel. I like that sort of thing, but mileage may vary.
It is a slow and philosophical book, and while many of its observations are particular to the alchemy of the day, other retain their bite, fifty-six years on:
It is strange that for Christians the supreme evil is constituted of so-called errors of the flesh. No one chastises savagery and brutality, barbarity and injustice with the same fury and disgust. No one will judge those good folk obscene who will come to watch me tomorrow, writing in the flames.
thaell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
nclar17's review against another edition
I'm finding out I'm not a huge fan of books that delve into character psychology
rhdj's review against another edition
5.0
Ho faticato nella prima parte a entrare in comunicazione con questo libro. La scrittura, per quanto curata, mi sembrava astratta e distante, difficile da seguire la vicenda.
Dalla seconda parte in poi l'ho divorato. Splendide le ultime pagine. L'impressione è che ci sia tanto che non ho colto. Sicuramente è un romanzo da rileggere dopo aver studiato di più.
Dalla seconda parte in poi l'ho divorato. Splendide le ultime pagine. L'impressione è che ci sia tanto che non ho colto. Sicuramente è un romanzo da rileggere dopo aver studiato di più.
jeannepiou's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes saying nothing is better to pretend I can say anything at all. Montaigne would have loved this book, I think. I love it, anyway.
ferouz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
itsgiuliabtw's review against another edition
5.0
quando mi sentirò meglio farò una recensione approfondita, quest'opera merita il meglio.
camilleconstance's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0