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loar's review against another edition
5.0
Musím trochu přehodnotit svůj předchozí výkřik, že se to čte skoro samo. Nečte. Někde za půlkou už se člověk ve spoustě detailů, osob a historických souvislostí trochu ztrácí. Pokud se zajímáte o vznik konspiračních teorií, šíření drbů a manipulaci s veřejným míněním, nečekáte napínavý příběh a překousnete příšerně nesympatického hlavního hrdinu, je to kniha právě pro vás.
redrobot's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled to finish this book, and several times considered abandoning it. Technically, it is very well-written, but it's full of hatred and lies and an unsympathetic protagonist who's rather boring, even in his mental illness. If I wanted that, I would just go back to reading the news.
wintermute9's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
stitchingirl908's review against another edition
Well, I've started reading this twice and stopped twice! I did get half way through the second time. I'm afraid it's too confusing for this brain. Maybe a third time will prove to be the charm, if I try a third time.....not counting on it though.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia
bennought's review against another edition
3.0
The history in this book is absolutely fascinating: Garibaldi-era Italy, the 1848 revolutions, the fall of Napoleon III, and the ridiculous beliefs/fears about Masons, Jews, and Satanists throughout the 19th century. But, I found the story itself often a bit too erratic and, while I do think that Eco is a marvellous writer, the writing style of this book was often a bit too... eccentric, for lack of a better word. The book did get better as time went on, and there were definitely portions of if where I was absolutely riveted; but there were too many sections where I was bored or annoyed to warrant a higher rating.
krobart's review against another edition
2.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/day-659-the-prague-cemetery/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/day-659-the-prague-cemetery/
nekreader's review against another edition
2.0
This book is demanding and exhausting, but it does get points for being the first Eco book I have been able to finish since reading The Name of the Rose. You should be a devout fan of historical fiction and fairly familiar with 19th century European history to stay focused through the mass of well-researched, but ultimately cumbersome detail. The plot device of diary entries by a split personality protagonist adds an additional layer of complexity. I'm sure it was brilliant, but ultimately, I didn't care enough about the characters or the story to appreciate the larger questions this novel raises.
birgits_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
dieses buch verdient eigentlich keine rezi... keine handlung, ein unsymphatischer protagonist mit einem unstillbaren hass auf die gesamte menschheit und beim rest konnte ich mich nicht konzentrieren...
cblibris's review against another edition
I have to admit I only read about 7% of this. There was just too much hate and too little plot.