Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Teaser Tuesday #21 - Foucault's Pendulum by Eco

The most mind-whirling book I've read this year - Foucault's pendulum by Umberto Eco beats Da Vinci code for the sheer depth of mystery and tension around the Templars.
From Pg 75 of the old library edition I'm reading:
"The Crusaders were terrible screwups. They marched off without any idea of where they were going or what they would find when they got there."'
Really having trouble understanding this book fully.
I can't help but walk around bewildered - is that I am the wrong audience for the book, is there some pre-knowledge required to be able to grasp its concept, is it only for academics and high-brow folks?? - please help me out!
I'm keeping at it, but it is a heavy read. I'm averaging 40 pages every morning on my commute to work.

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17 comments:

  1. This book is one big charade, a joke and a mystery in one. Don't try to understand everything at once. Nice teaser!

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  2. It does sound like a deep read. Every once in a while a book like that is good. We need to stretch our reading muscles once in a while. I have two teasers this week. My YA teaser is from Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell and my adult teaser is from Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs. Happy reading!

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  3. I loved the Da Vinci Code so I may have to try this one!

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  4. I've never heard of the book before but good for you for sticking with it. At the moment, reading a book that makes my brain hurt would find itself hidden on my shelf LOL Thanks for sharing!
    Here's my teaser

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  5. I can't help, but I can assure you you're not alone! I found it bewildering too.

    My teaser's here.

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  6. Thanks for visiting! I like your teaser! Oh, maybe it would help if you just keep an open mind - accept and accept info and evaluate it later. :) Maybe this is a philosophical book in some ways?

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  7. I would like to warn every DaVinci Code fans - this book (Foucault's pendulum) is a lot more complicated.

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  8. Great teaser! I should try this author sometime.

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  9. Here is my teaser from Witchgrass: A Pipe Dream by Dave Wilkinson (Page 1):

    Most gardeners hate witchgrass. Of all weeds it is one of the most persistent and adaptable. Any small piece of rhizome left in the soil can become an aggressive plant ready to take over the plot. Witchgrass is hard to pull. Roots are deep, and break off easily. Any part left in the ground will grow again. Farmers say the species isn't even good as hay, not as good as timothy or alfalfa. Some call it quickgrass.

    Early New England colonists blamed evil people for this garden invader. In the seventeenth century villagers would speak this way:

    "The surly woman living alone on her dead husband's estate. She goes into the woods and consorts with the Devil. Signs his book. Fornicates with him. Eats mushrooms. She and the Devil send witchgrass to harass the virtuous and the Godly. Let us hang this witch and seize her rich farm."

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  10. It sounds like an interesting book! I'll have to check it out.

    I love the teaser!

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  11. I have that problem with Umberto Eco, too. It took me a couple of years to finally finish The Name of the Rose, and I haven't had the courage to tackle this one yet. Maybe next year. Great teaser, though!

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  12. The Templars are so fascinating! Good for you for tackling a difficult read. Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. Wow, a heavy read. I hope that you are enjoying your book. Check out My Teaser for Tuesday.

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  14. I really enjoyed The Name of the Rose and have always been anxious to try another Umberto Eco. After your teaser, I’m a little nervous about Foucault’s Pendulum… Maybe The Island of the Day Before instead…

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  15. Keep at it. It will be the best reward you give yourself. It is hard in between but he beautifully brings it all together in the end. This read will stay with you for life. Sometimes pieces from it will reveal itself MUCH after you finish the book, much like LOTR but in a deeper way.-Sunanda

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  16. Thanks for the encouragement :) Glad to know the ending makes it worth it!

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