This Is Not The Michael You're Looking For’s review of Foucault's Pendulum > Likes and Comments
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Yeah, I felt like the author was playing mind games with the reader, as well as the main character through this whole book. NOT an easy read, but informative in its way.
"I was apparently trying to read one story, but the author was trying to tell a different one." then Eco achieved his goal, because this is precisely how conspiracy theorists read their books. had he tried to do this in a "cleaner and more approachable fashion" he would have failed that task as well as failing to achieve the sense of overwhelming confusion and loss of control people spiraling into conspiracy lunacy experience.
I too though that the concept of the novel was great but the novel suffers considerably due to it's overbearing and overindulgent execution. It felt like I was reading a history book at times, the narrative constantly diverted towards historical factoids which sucked all the excitement and thrills out of the story. Not unbearable but a bit of a chore to finish. "The Prague Cemitery" and "The Name Of The Rose" are far superior.
Couldn't agree more with this review and with the comment above. This book put me off of The Name of the Rose forever, but maybe I'll actually give it a shot. Thanks!
The Name of the Rose is really so much better than this one. Definitely worth a shot!!
Heather wrote: "Couldn't agree more with this review and with the comment above. This book put me off of The Name of the Rose forever, but maybe I'll actually give it a shot. Thanks!"
I would give "The Name Of The Rose" a read if I were you. It's a very good novel. Don't let "Foucault's Pendulum" put you off it.
Found some of the earlier factual chapters about the various societies esp templars and Rosicrucians interesting. Found the bewildering array of unexplained references off putting as well as all the untranslated french.
My enjoyment, or lack thereof, was tempered by the fact that I was apparently trying to read one story, but the author was trying to tell a different one.
I loved the book, but this is a great comment.
Thanks for the honest review . I read the SUBTERRANEANS by
Jack Kerouac . This book sounds similarly themed , so I think I'll pass on it for summer reading . LOL .
Spot on. I really liked The Name of the Rose, was somewhat underwhelmed by Baudolino, and completely bored with this one. Too much inessential detail about obscure figures and conversations about them. Way too long.
Catalina wrote: "totally agree"
Same ! Enough already ! I left Michel Focault behind when I got my college diploma . And I have much admiration for people who consider Focault leisure reading .
Kaya wrote: "but really a tough cookie to read..."
Michel Focault's book are like that to me too . . . tough to read and he never really comes to a firm conclusion on any of the philosophical questions he proposed . wtf ?
Hugo wrote: "Heather wrote: "Couldn't agree more with this review and with the comment above. This book put me off of The Name of the Rose forever, but maybe I'll actually give it a shot. Thanks!"
I would give..."
If it refers to anything Focaultian , I'll pass on it . Have a good read .
Well put, Michael!
Despite having DNFed it, there’s one thing I learnt: it’s not about Michel Foucault but Léon Foucault, the physicist from the 19th century who invented that specific pendulum. 👩🏼🏫 Please excuse for my nerddom.
I didn’t grasp the book the first few times, but I eventually understood the different layers and read it once a year for twenty years. Eco can be tough, but this is a wonderful novel. Jacobo Belbo is one of the most interesting and empathetic characters in all of contemporary literature. An amazing journey.
I think you'd be much more comfortable with Dan Brown.
I am agreed with you, im half way of finishing the book but I don't think is worth the effort.
Florin wrote: "I think you'd be much more comfortable with Dan Brown."
Same .
Annika wrote: "Well put, Michael!
Despite having DNFed it, there’s one thing I learnt: it’s not about Michel Foucault but Léon Foucault, the physicist from the 19th century who invented that specific pendulum. 👩..."
Thanks ! I've read the reviews and I still think I'll pass on this one .
I'd like to blame the translator for this overlong, ugly monster but he's done Eco's other book also.
I've read it three times and it's hilarious. One of my favorite books of all time, and it's commentary on conspiracy theories is more and more relevant.
This book is a bit like Ulysses - a meticulous drafted and intensely complicated book that stands as one of the greatest accomplishments in literature but...not something you want to take with you to the beach. I have never ceased being impressed with this book on rereads but it needed to be about 25% shorter with far less info dumping names and historic essays on the reader which they can't possibly hope to remember. I liken it to researching a 30,000 word conspiracy theory on 9-11 which contains a new person, place or thing in every second sentence and expecting the listener to follow it.
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Jackie "the Librarian"
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Apr 26, 2009 12:47AM
Yeah, I felt like the author was playing mind games with the reader, as well as the main character through this whole book. NOT an easy read, but informative in its way.
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"I was apparently trying to read one story, but the author was trying to tell a different one." then Eco achieved his goal, because this is precisely how conspiracy theorists read their books. had he tried to do this in a "cleaner and more approachable fashion" he would have failed that task as well as failing to achieve the sense of overwhelming confusion and loss of control people spiraling into conspiracy lunacy experience.
I too though that the concept of the novel was great but the novel suffers considerably due to it's overbearing and overindulgent execution. It felt like I was reading a history book at times, the narrative constantly diverted towards historical factoids which sucked all the excitement and thrills out of the story. Not unbearable but a bit of a chore to finish. "The Prague Cemitery" and "The Name Of The Rose" are far superior.
Couldn't agree more with this review and with the comment above. This book put me off of The Name of the Rose forever, but maybe I'll actually give it a shot. Thanks!
The Name of the Rose is really so much better than this one. Definitely worth a shot!!
Heather wrote: "Couldn't agree more with this review and with the comment above. This book put me off of The Name of the Rose forever, but maybe I'll actually give it a shot. Thanks!"I would give "The Name Of The Rose" a read if I were you. It's a very good novel. Don't let "Foucault's Pendulum" put you off it.
Found some of the earlier factual chapters about the various societies esp templars and Rosicrucians interesting. Found the bewildering array of unexplained references off putting as well as all the untranslated french.
My enjoyment, or lack thereof, was tempered by the fact that I was apparently trying to read one story, but the author was trying to tell a different one.I loved the book, but this is a great comment.
Thanks for the honest review . I read the SUBTERRANEANS byJack Kerouac . This book sounds similarly themed , so I think I'll pass on it for summer reading . LOL .
Spot on. I really liked The Name of the Rose, was somewhat underwhelmed by Baudolino, and completely bored with this one. Too much inessential detail about obscure figures and conversations about them. Way too long.
Catalina wrote: "totally agree"Same ! Enough already ! I left Michel Focault behind when I got my college diploma . And I have much admiration for people who consider Focault leisure reading .
Kaya wrote: "but really a tough cookie to read..."Michel Focault's book are like that to me too . . . tough to read and he never really comes to a firm conclusion on any of the philosophical questions he proposed . wtf ?
Hugo wrote: "Heather wrote: "Couldn't agree more with this review and with the comment above. This book put me off of The Name of the Rose forever, but maybe I'll actually give it a shot. Thanks!"I would give..."
If it refers to anything Focaultian , I'll pass on it . Have a good read .
Well put, Michael! Despite having DNFed it, there’s one thing I learnt: it’s not about Michel Foucault but Léon Foucault, the physicist from the 19th century who invented that specific pendulum. 👩🏼🏫 Please excuse for my nerddom.
I didn’t grasp the book the first few times, but I eventually understood the different layers and read it once a year for twenty years. Eco can be tough, but this is a wonderful novel. Jacobo Belbo is one of the most interesting and empathetic characters in all of contemporary literature. An amazing journey.
I think you'd be much more comfortable with Dan Brown.
I am agreed with you, im half way of finishing the book but I don't think is worth the effort.
Florin wrote: "I think you'd be much more comfortable with Dan Brown."Same .
Annika wrote: "Well put, Michael! Despite having DNFed it, there’s one thing I learnt: it’s not about Michel Foucault but Léon Foucault, the physicist from the 19th century who invented that specific pendulum. 👩..."
Thanks ! I've read the reviews and I still think I'll pass on this one .
I'd like to blame the translator for this overlong, ugly monster but he's done Eco's other book also.
I've read it three times and it's hilarious. One of my favorite books of all time, and it's commentary on conspiracy theories is more and more relevant.
This book is a bit like Ulysses - a meticulous drafted and intensely complicated book that stands as one of the greatest accomplishments in literature but...not something you want to take with you to the beach. I have never ceased being impressed with this book on rereads but it needed to be about 25% shorter with far less info dumping names and historic essays on the reader which they can't possibly hope to remember. I liken it to researching a 30,000 word conspiracy theory on 9-11 which contains a new person, place or thing in every second sentence and expecting the listener to follow it.
