Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Il cimitero di Praga by Umberto Eco

2 reviews

klbreyfogle's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was a slog to get through, in no small part because the main character is the worst person imaginable. It took me 8 months to finish because it’s essentially 450 pages of bigoted hatred and complicated 19th century European politics.

That said, I’m glad I read it. I think the forgery, disinformation, and manipulation to cause strife is particularly relevant in today’s political climate. The plot does pick up a bit at the end, but it’s still kind of confusing to follow if you don’t know a lot about the politics of the time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Pedophilia

emlo's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I found this book really hard work. I didn't enjoy the way the story evolved as diary entries from 2 men who had forgotten who they were, pieced together by a narrator. The only reason I finished the book was because I found the history of 1800s western Europe interesting. The majority of the characters and the events in this book are real; it's only the main character that is fictional. Even so, I think I would rather have read a history book and skipped the endless tirade of bigoted bile spewed by the main character. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism

Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Murder