In 'Foucault's Pendulum', Umberto Eco weaves a labyrinthine tale of conspiracy and historical intrigue. Three editors at a publishing house create a fictional secret society, which spirals out of control as their game blurs the lines between reality and delusion. As they delve deeper into their own narrative, they unwittingly attract the attention of real-world zealots. The novel critiques the search for meaning in a chaotic world, questioning the nature of truth itself. Eco's rich prose and complex themes invite readers to ponder: what happens when fiction becomes a dangerous obsession?
By Umberto Eco
Published: 2007
"The world is made up of a series of interpretations, each one more real than the last, yet completely subjective."
A literary prank leads to deadly danger in this “endlessly diverting” intellectual thriller by the author of The Name of the Rose (Time). Bored with their work, three Milanese book editors cook up an elaborate hoax that connects the medieval Knights Templar with occult groups across the centuries. Becoming obsessed with their own creation, they produce a map indicating the geographical point from which all the powers of the earth can be controlled—a point located in Paris, France, at Foucault’s Pendulum. But in a fateful turn the joke becomes all too real. When occult groups, including Satanists, get wind of the Plan, they go so far as to kill one of the editors in their quest to gain control of the earth. Orchestrating these and other diverse characters into his multilayered semiotic adventure, Umberto Eco has created a superb cerebral entertainment. "An intellectual adventure story…sensational, thrilling, and packed with arcana."—The Washington Post Book World
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“The world is made up of a series of interpretations, each one more real than the last, yet completely subjective.”
Foucault's Pendulum
By Umberto Eco
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Umberto Eco (1932-2016) was an Italian novelist, essayist, and literary critic, renowned for his intellectual depth and innovative approach to narrative. He is best known for his bestselling novel 'The Name of the Rose,' a historical mystery that intricately weaves themes of semiotics, philosophy, and medieval history. Eco's writing style is characterized by its rich, erudite prose and a playful embrace of metafiction and intertextuality, inviting readers to engage deeply with the text. Other notable works include 'Foucault's Pendulum,' 'The Baudolino,' and 'The Prague Cemetery,' all showcasing his unique blend of scholarly insight and engaging storytelling.
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