The Prague Cemetery (original 2010; edition 2011)

Probably a lot of commentators on this book will have started off by sensibly stating this warning or something similar: Warning, this book is a take on the history of a document known as 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion' The foundations of much modern anti-Semitism. You will be reading the memoires of a fictional character who, by his own free admission throughout the book, is trying to create fear and hysteria against various groups both political and ethnic for his clients needs.

The story is told in a series of flashbacks as the forger attempts to regain his full memory by writing down what he can of his past. Many groups and nationalities will be slandered in his career. The toilet and eating habits of the German peoples will memorably come under attack early on.

I don't personally think it's fair to say that Umberto Eco hasn't done enough to discredit the fictional forger. The few really laboured moments of the plot seem to be almost clumsy attempts to explain the forgers prejudices, he almost seems a little too eager to show the pathetic roots of the character's beliefs. For example his encounter with a Jewish girl and the negative outcome (for him) almost seem like a few paragraphs tacked on for good measure, just in case anyone missed the point the author was trying to make which is essentially that this master forger is really a scared child, spouting his mindless fears as reality for money at the behest of political manipulators and that even he doesn't fully believe. It's true that the forger never has to confront at face value the potential damage that his hateful forgeries can inspire, but I don't want to give too much away as a spoiler.

As a read it is a typical, non Name of the Rose, Eco book, in other words heavy going and laced with endless historical references that almost overwhelm. I think in this case a brief brush up on the Italian wars of unification, maybe an hour on Wikipedia before starting reading, might make a few of the chapters a little easier on the brain.

I read in an interview that the author believes in giving the reader a challenge and he certainly has here, but in my opinion a challenge well worth taking on.
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The Prague Cemetery was an intriguing, though at times disturbing, read. I found that the strength of this novel lies in the portrayal/setting of the 19th century. Eco deftly shows the uncertainty of the times: periods of revolutions, turnovers in ideas and dominant perspectives, social upheavals but also the problems associated with these developments. The main character Simonini however is, simply put, disturbing. The further I read the novel, following his narration, the more ill I felt because of the amount of hate that exudes from his character. He hates everyone yet he can somehow relate to them on some level. Also, while this book sheds light on the basis of hate against the other, it does not show much on how to dispel or counter such hate either through other characters or situations.

You could read my full review of the novel over at my blog: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/02/06/review-the-prague-cemetery/ ( )

I received a review copy from the publisher. Even free, I was really disappointed with this one. I have read most of Eco's novels and have always enjoyed them, but this one just didn't seem up to par. In fact I don't recall ever opening one of his books halfway through and thinking "ugh, how much longer?."

There was no real mystery, nothing but time driving the action forward. Eco's other works sometimes start slowly, but usually end well, so I will invest the time to finish them. Sadly, I was only pleased that it ended... ( )

Umberto Eco faz uma investigação sobre as origens do anti-semitismo que levou ao extermínio de judeus em campos de concentração por meio de personagens e acontecimentos tão inacreditáveis quanto reais. Para isso, ele escolhe a forma dos folhetins amados por seu personagem principal, inclusive usando sua coleção pessoal de gravuras do século XIX. A narrativa de Il Cimitero di Praga é intrigante e poderosa, e confirma os livros de Eco não só como excelente histórias, mas como um excelente modo de aprender história, de conectar incidentes mais e menos conhecidos em um painel. ( )

Yet another incredibly complex historical mystery by Eco. I love 'em, every time. Even if you get confused by the split personalities, multiple perspectives of events, historical injokes, and hilariously bigoted rants about Jews and women and race (not Eco's personal views!).

On an aside, I need to brush up on my history of 19th century Italy. ( )