Das Foucaultsche Pendel

Hardcover, 767 pages

German language

Published July 1, 2003 by Carl Hanser.

ISBN:
978-3-446-15395-0
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5 stars (2 reviews)

Drei Mailänder Verlagslektoren, die beruflich ständig über okkulte Wissenschaften, Geheimbünde und kosmische Komplotte lesen müssen, stoßen auf ein äußerst rätselhaftes Dokument aus dem 14. Jahrhundert. Darin ist von alle 120 Jahre wiederkehrenden Zusammenkünften der »36 Unbekannten«, der Nachfahren der mysteriösen Tempelritter, die Rede. Die drei Spötter stürzen sich in das Labyrinth der Geheimlehren. Spielerisch erdenken sie eine gigantische Verschwörung. Aber dann merken sie, daß jemand ihre Phantasien ernst nimmt. Und der schreckt offenbar auch vor Mord nicht zurück ...

54 editions

captivating and masterfully written

5 stars

A captivating and masterfully written book. I'm not sure if it's the main point of the book, but Eco's commentary on conspiracy theories, those who spin them, and those who believe them, feels incredibly relevant today. Googling the constant references to esoteric books and historical figures was fun and made me feel like I too was uncovering part of The Plan. If you read the book, keep a translating app open for the many quoted book passages and dialogue that has not be translated into English.

unfortunately, too relevant

No rating

I feel like this book has had some bad luck by becoming increasingly true and relevant. Since conspiracy theories have proliferated this decade, we're all thoroughly familiar. Although this book was there first, if you've already had a read through everything on wikipedia and countless thinkpieces on the issue, this feels like more of the basics. What might have been obscure and exciting conspiracy theories, a mindblowing social milieu, and novel analysis when presented for the first time is just not so exciting anymore.
This is solidly a good book - its just that the other Eco novels are better. The ones set in the middle ages are more immersive, more imaginative, more vibrant. It also seems like Eco is taking this seriously instead of "just" having fun. There's an analytical and didactic feel at the heart of this novel, which I didn't like.