patkay85's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
leorejoanne's review against another edition
3.0
I expected a lot from this book when I bought it, and I have to say that I was quite dissappointed.
I liked the lead character a lot, and the offset for the plot was excellent, but it seemed to me that he (Eco)didn't play around enough with all the possibilities which his character's situation allowed.
At Solara, the idea of trying to recover his history by surrounding himself with his childhood things was very appealing to me, but at some point I got sick of rummaging through old vinyl discs and stamp collections with him. I enjoyed the stories about the books, but these too grew old after a while. Though it was interesting to learn about Facist Italy from the perspective of a boy.
*spoiler*
I liked the "twist" (since it's not really a twist), when he found the old book, had a stroke and started floating amongst his memories again.
It was very satisfying to finally understand who he is, and where he comes from. But what wasn't satisfying was the ending. The idea of all the characters from the comics and books which inhabited his life to come to him in his final moments is charming, but it also left me with a sour taste in my mouth, since the author left all the ends rather loose. I still would like to know what happened with the book he found.
Highlights - Gragnola (I think that was his name) and his long speech about why god is a facist sent me hollering.
Also, Yambo's musing about whether he's dreaming, or dreaming of dreaming, or perhaps just existing in a sort of suspended state, as just a brain floating in fluid into whom someone sends images as he wishes. Reminded me of the 'Matrix'.
So to sum it up - I wasn't too thrilled by this book, though it had its' moments.
Quote: "By war's end I had learned a great deal, not only how babies are born, but also hoe jews die".
7.5.07
I liked the lead character a lot, and the offset for the plot was excellent, but it seemed to me that he (Eco)didn't play around enough with all the possibilities which his character's situation allowed.
At Solara, the idea of trying to recover his history by surrounding himself with his childhood things was very appealing to me, but at some point I got sick of rummaging through old vinyl discs and stamp collections with him. I enjoyed the stories about the books, but these too grew old after a while. Though it was interesting to learn about Facist Italy from the perspective of a boy.
*spoiler*
I liked the "twist" (since it's not really a twist), when he found the old book, had a stroke and started floating amongst his memories again.
It was very satisfying to finally understand who he is, and where he comes from. But what wasn't satisfying was the ending. The idea of all the characters from the comics and books which inhabited his life to come to him in his final moments is charming, but it also left me with a sour taste in my mouth, since the author left all the ends rather loose. I still would like to know what happened with the book he found.
Highlights - Gragnola (I think that was his name) and his long speech about why god is a facist sent me hollering.
Also, Yambo's musing about whether he's dreaming, or dreaming of dreaming, or perhaps just existing in a sort of suspended state, as just a brain floating in fluid into whom someone sends images as he wishes. Reminded me of the 'Matrix'.
So to sum it up - I wasn't too thrilled by this book, though it had its' moments.
Quote: "By war's end I had learned a great deal, not only how babies are born, but also hoe jews die".
7.5.07
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
1.0
As with most Umberto Eco books, the concept is fabulous but the writing is horrible.
germancho's review against another edition
4.0
Es sobre un hombre que pierde todos los recuerdos asociados a experiencias vividas y a sentimientos, solo recuerda lo que ha leido, solo palabras y expresiones... y trata de reconstruir su vida volviendo a sus recuerdos de la infancia. Me imagino que hay que ser italiano para disfrutarlo a fondo.
saidjaoujat's review against another edition
4.0
una idea buena y un argumento muy interesante desarrollado con coherencia...es la historia de un hombre que ha perdido por completo la memoria personal y solo le queda una memoria de papel,,a través de ese viaje histórico y cultural vivamos una sensacion de nostalgia con sentido de ironía
nbrickman's review against another edition
1.0
I learned that this is not a very wise selection for a first book club meeting. However, I think the pretentiousness of it may have weeded out the less serious and less cerebral readers out there. This book was powerful in places and the concept was very thought-provoking. What would happen if you woke up at 60 after a stroke and did not remember any part of your life, except for the literature you immersed yourself in? I did enjoy the literary references (especially the poetry ones) but wasn't quite satisfied with the way the tale unraveled. Nonetheless, I will always remember it because of the fact that I read it for the first meeting of my own book club!
haami's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
helb_rostislavovich's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.25
rlchen383's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Very inventive novel and contemplation on what constitutes memory. I wish I understood more of the references but it was also fun to read what might have been standard fare for Italian children in the 40s