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The Prague Cemetery

Questions About The Prague Cemetery

by Umberto Eco

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Answered Questions (7)

Did anyone love this book? I feel like I read the whole thing waiting for the plot to take on significance but really I just feel like I read hundreds of pages of hate...Sorry, Mr. Eco.
Michael Mann Eco has made hate -- anti-Semitism -- farcical, absurd, as indeed it should be understood. I laughed and laughed. The scene in the cemetery could only…moreEco has made hate -- anti-Semitism -- farcical, absurd, as indeed it should be understood. I laughed and laughed. The scene in the cemetery could only be taken seriously by demented minds as, unfortunately, it was.(less)
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I enjoyed this book, in part for its astute portrayal of events in 19th century Europe, but also its incredibly black humor. I found it dense at times, but I realized over time that it brought perspective to the way we shape, adopt and live by conspiracy theories. Those theories routinely degrade the class of people that they target. I think Eco wanted to make that relevant to us in these times. Do you agree?
John I aboslutely agree. I'll go even further and say that Mr. Eco was not just commenting on conspiracy theories, but how various media outlets can distor…moreI aboslutely agree. I'll go even further and say that Mr. Eco was not just commenting on conspiracy theories, but how various media outlets can distort or amplify aspects of everyday events to meet the demands of their own agenda.

The competing journals and newsletters you see in this book can easyly be seen filling the role that mass media networks, and social media fill today. Providing a custom reality to serve the echo chamber needs of the audience. (less)
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Does this book make a good attempt to be historically accurate in its core statements, or is it mostly historical revisionism to fit a simple, emotive narrative?
Anna Gallina it is historically accurate cause almost every character was an actual person who lived, said things and behaved the way they did in real life (a part…moreit is historically accurate cause almost every character was an actual person who lived, said things and behaved the way they did in real life (a part from the main character, that is fiction)(less)
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Thomas S While it is possible to interpret the book this way, I believe what Eco meant to convey was sheer HORROR. Far from hating Jews, he understood the shee…moreWhile it is possible to interpret the book this way, I believe what Eco meant to convey was sheer HORROR. Far from hating Jews, he understood the sheer will to ignorance represented in the 19th century lead-up to the events of the 20th. The willful impulse to exorcise perceived demons can, at times, overwhelm a society -- and the impulse can be stoked by fabricators of outrageous accusations. Eco is showing how a naturally neutral intellect can put itself into the service of such impulses purely in pursuing one's financial self-interest. This book draws a blueprint line from the Inquisition to the Holocaust. (less)
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How much of European history I need to be aware of before I can begin reading the book?
Anna Gallina a whole bunch in my opinion, especially history from 1850 to 1900 (garibaldi and italy's unification, the dreyfus affair, the growing antisemitism...)…morea whole bunch in my opinion, especially history from 1850 to 1900 (garibaldi and italy's unification, the dreyfus affair, the growing antisemitism...)(less)
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