TL;DR
'Foucault's Pendulum' by Umberto Eco is an intellectual thriller about three editors who concoct a fantastical conspiracy that draws real-life occultists into their dangerous game.
What is Foucault's Pendulum about
'Foucault's Pendulum' is a novel by Umberto Eco that delves into the world of conspiracy theories, occult knowledge, and intellectual curiosity. The story follows three Milanese book editors who, out of boredom, invent a complex and elaborate conspiracy linking the Knights Templar with various occult groups throughout history. Their creation includes a map pinpointing the location from which all earthly powers can be controlled, which they place at Foucault's Pendulum in Paris. What begins as a literary prank spirals into a deadly game when real occult organizations, including Satanists, take their fabricated Plan seriously, resulting in the murder of one of the editors. The novel combines layers of historical references, semiotics, and philosophical musings, making it a rich and complex read.
Foucault's Pendulum 5 Key Takeaways
The Literary Hoax
Three bored Milanese book editors fabricate a grand conspiracy theory involving the Knights Templar and various occult groups spread across history.
The Plan
The editors create an intricate map that supposedly identifies the point from which all the powers of the earth can be controlled, located in Paris at Foucault’s Pendulum.
Obsession with the Conspiracy
As the editors delve deeper into their hoax, they become increasingly obsessed with their own creation, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
Deadly Consequences
Real occult groups, including Satanists, discover the editors' fabricated Plan and take it seriously, leading to the murder of one of the editors.
Unraveling the Truth
The surviving editors must navigate a labyrinth of their own making to uncover the truth and escape the deadly consequences of their intellectual prank.
Top Foucault's Pendulum Quotes
- “The lunatic is all idée fixe, and whatever he comes across confirms his lunacy.”
- “But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.”
Who should read Foucault's Pendulum?
'Foucault's Pendulum' is ideal for readers who enjoy intellectual thrillers, historical mysteries, and philosophical themes. Fans of Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose' or those interested in semiotics and the power of symbols will find this book particularly engaging.
Foucault's Pendulum Best Reviews
- “An intellectual adventure story…sensational, thrilling, and packed with arcana.” —The Washington Post Book World
- “Endlessly diverting” —Time
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Foucault's Pendulum FAQs
What is the meaning of the book 'Foucault's Pendulum'?
'Foucault's Pendulum' is an encyclopedic detective story about a search for the center of an ancient conspiracy. It explores themes of power, truth, and the dangers of intellectual curiosity.
What is the Foucault pendulum theory?
The Foucault pendulum demonstrates the Earth's rotation on its axis. As the pendulum swings back and forth, the Earth rotates beneath it, creating a relative motion between them.
How long does it take to read 'Foucault's Pendulum'?
On average, it takes about 10 hours and 41 minutes to read 'Foucault's Pendulum' at a pace of 250 words per minute.