Inspired by a recent read which mentioned the Knights Templar in passing, I’ve decided to set myself a little project for January, and you’re all welcome to join in. Back in January 2019, I launched a project to re-read Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose over the month (here’s the final post in the series with links to the others). Now I have plans to re-read Umberto Eco’s following novel, Foucault’s Pendulum, and #EchoesofEcoII is born!
Foucault’s Pendulum is a contemporary literary thriller, that is steeped in references to Kabbalah in particular, but also conspiracy theories, alchemy, those Knights Templar and more, and linking into the rotation of the Earth, which Foucault’s Pendulum was designed to show. It was first published in 1988, and then in translation by William Weaver a year later. You can read more about it on the Wikipedia page for now.
In my aged Picador paperback, the novel is spread over 641 pages and split into ten sections named for the Sephiroth or ’emanations’ of the Kabbalah. They’re of unequal length, so I’ll aim to read steadily, posting after the first sections, the middle and then end during the month.
I do own a rare copy of the Folio Society’s edition, which I bought to complement my Folio NotR. I paid a three figure sum then for it, and it has since at least trebled in value. If it weren’t still sealed in its shrinkwrap, I wouldn’t hesitate to read that copy – but taking the shrinkwrap off will decrease the value a bit. So I haven’t even seen the artwork inside! I shall probably stick to my old paperback then, with its tanning and small print – or shall I?
Such a quandary! What would you do?
I aim to do a first post once I’ve got to p216, the end of the first three sections. You’re more than welcome to join me, or just pitch in with your recollections and observations, whether you read the book too or not.
What lovely editions! I must admit I’m in the ‘open and enjoy!’ camp, but don’t listen to me 😀
I foolishly got rid of my original hardback from when it was first published, Annabel, but more recently I got a secondhand replacement paperback copy from 1990 – so yes, I think I will join you!
And especially since it skewered all the nonsense that emerged on religious conspiracy theories after 1982’s The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail and noises about Illuminati . . .
I’m with Madame Bibliophile – open the posh copy. I’ll definitely join in this although I’ve no idea where mine is or if I even still have it.
I’m still divided about whether to open it or not! But I have a fortnight before I need to start reading the first chunk…
I’ve got my copy I rushed into my local bookshop about a minute before she closed…
I’d open and read the Folio. Beautiful books are meant to be enjoyed! With my own illustrated editions I tend to leave them on the shelf too much, as they are heavy and unwieldy, but this seems the perfect occasion to break one out.
As for me, at this point I’d have to rely on an e-book to be ready for January. I think I’ll give it a try. I read The Name of the Rose many years ago but nothing else by Eco. Thanks for the inspiration!