Even red-haired Byrd is faking, not revealing the real purpose of his travel to the Pacific Ocean. Now there's real action, because conjecture abounds so far.
Roberto has found out the intruder on board: a man, a priest, called Gaspar. The priest urges Roberto to learn to swim. Roberto tries and tries again. Gaspar tries his own way to reach the Island, inside a Campanula; and disappears.
All alone again, Roberto is back on his memories of Lilia and Ferrante. This one seems very real; he too had organized a voyage in search of the previously referred point. Ferrante wanted to subtract Lilia from Roberto. As for conjectures, they verse on the vacuum and infinity, the plurality of worlds, the inhabitants of the moon, and the Orange Dove.
Nevertheless, Roberto is not a philosopher, rather: an unhappy lover. He still thinks and dreams about his rival Ferrante. Especially this dream gives the whole sense to the title of the book. The case is that Ferrante had a mutiny on his voyage; his body was thrown into an island, above 25 degrees of latitude. But all is a nightmare of Roberto: Ferrante being killed; Ferrante facing Judas whose punishment is to live forever on Holy Friday.
Roberto is remorse ridden for not having attained to the Island. He might have saved Lilia. The last words of the book are conjectures, still. Maybe Tasman…maybe Captain Blight in …, maybe…. Philosophy of Science. Worthwhile, the reading. A way into thinking and reflection. Roberto pondered on that too. For a while I've read, View all 7 comments. Mar 21, Thomas rated it did not like it. The Island of the Day Before? The Name of the Rose and Focault's Pendulum are still fantastic books, though View all 16 comments.
Sep 16, Patrick Neylan rated it did not like it Shelves: 20th-century , fiction , literary , foreign. Readers expect Umberto Eco to take them on a stimulating journey of discovery as his characters unravel mysteries that take them to the heart of early Western civilisation. In the 'The Island of the Day Before' it fails catastrophically. Eco spends hundreds of pages wallowing in his arcane knowledge, resorting to ever more desperate ploys to show off his learning, because this book has no plot to draw out those intelle Readers expect Umberto Eco to take them on a stimulating journey of discovery as his characters unravel mysteries that take them to the heart of early Western civilisation.
Eco spends hundreds of pages wallowing in his arcane knowledge, resorting to ever more desperate ploys to show off his learning, because this book has no plot to draw out those intellectual diversions naturally. In his previous novels, the basic murder mysteries provided a focus for the reader's journey: there was a mystery to be solved, and Eco's digressions enlightened the journey. Here the trek can be focused on one thing only: the long hoped-for last page, and the reader is only sustained by the morbid fascination of whether anything interesting is really going to happen.
It doesn't. Very early on, our hero finds himself stuck on an abandoned ship off an uncharted island. His plight becomes a metaphor for that of the reader, trapped in Eco's ego with no hope of escape.
I have a degree in Medieval Literature and History, but I can't find much of interest here. What hope is there for the more general reader? Never have I fallen asleep so often over a book, pummelled into intellectual insensibility. View 1 comment. Apr 30, Maksym Karpovets rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. The form of The Island of the Day Before could seem very simple, but it is not true. Every novel looks like intertextual garland of signs and senses which are masterly contained into historical or philosophical fiction, detective or thriller.
The main plot of the third novel is about Italian nobleman who is the only survivor of a shipwreck during a fierce storm. He finds himself stranded on board the Daphne, a boat anchored just offshore an unreachable island. Without wind, without crew, and without a knowing how of swimming, Roberto explores his new 'prison', having survived a shipwreck of the vessel Amaryllis. The land made a kind of bend, edged with sand that gleamed white in the pale darkness; but, like any shipwrecked man, Roberto could not tell if it was an island or a continent Roberto tells us about his childhood, the invention of his twin Ferrante does Eco play with archetype of twins?
I personally like the story about the mapping the latitudes and longitudes of the planer which transforms into the philosophical reflection about borders of our world. As always, we cannot discern where reality ends and imagination starts. Otherwise, does it really matter anyway? Jul 13, Josh rated it did not like it Shelves: fiction. Usually, I have one of three reactions to a book: I love it and plow through it, I hate it and put it down within 50 pages, or I like it and take my time, possibly reading other books simultaneously.
This one Because of The Name of the Rose , I kept expecting it to be good - or, more accurately, to get better. I waited pages. Then pages. Finally, I threw it across the room in frustration at pages.
I'm still bitter. View all 5 comments. Jul 05, Bradley rated it liked it Shelves: shelf , traditional-fiction. A rather large part of me is astounded, yet again, at the erudition and the hopelessly convoluted tale that Umberto Eco is able to write, all when staying close to a single, simple premise. Indeed, the amount of real history, real contemporary and historical thought pre's, is enough to send any regular scholar into paroxysms of joy At any point the book, I can sit back and enjoy the text, the dry accounting of an anonymous scholar as he or she goes over A rather large part of me is astounded, yet again, at the erudition and the hopelessly convoluted tale that Umberto Eco is able to write, all when staying close to a single, simple premise.
At any point the book, I can sit back and enjoy the text, the dry accounting of an anonymous scholar as he or she goes over the left behind documents of a shipwrecked scholar finding himself marooned on ANOTHER ship off the coast of a deserted island, unable to leave the ship because can't swim.
Ok, a little labyrinthian. But wait! He lives and dies recounting his youth, and out of learned frustration and boredom, devises a narration of himself both fantastic and strange. A twin brother which accounts for all his crimes and failures. A life of mystery and intrigue.
A lost love is given over to his fictional brother, giving him all the good things as well as the bad. The progression and subtle shifts throughout the novel are rather excellent. So why am I giving this a three star?
Well, for as much as I appreciate the beautiful writing and the excellent idea behind it, it fell flat. I didn't care for either Roberto or his evil self-narrative twin. This is a scholar who's trapped and a scholar who goes over this long-dead scholar's work. Ergo, it follows that the reader should ALSO be a scholar. It doesn't have the charm of Baudolino or the crazy humor of Foucault's Pendulum or the awesome historical mystery of Name of the Rose.
But it is nicely labyrinthian if you're into that kind of thing. Jan 19, Victoria rated it it was amazing Shelves: fiction , historical , favorites. I was recommended to read Umberto Eco by a friend of mine, and I was not disappointed at all. Eco's style is a bit dense, so I can imagine it would not appeal to a lot of people. However, it's also extremely lyrical and beautiful. The book itself is littered with debates on life and death, love, the nature of God and time itself.
This is probably the book's greatest strength, as Eco writes so beautifully about such lofty ideals. So for anyone who's a fan of debating or philosophy would probably e I was recommended to read Umberto Eco by a friend of mine, and I was not disappointed at all.
So for anyone who's a fan of debating or philosophy would probably enjoy this book. I will say however, that the book itself requires a certain kind of mindset.
So while I immediately loved the book and its premise, it still took me a decent amount of time to really feel as if I were absorbing it. There were times where I really wanted to read the book, but I felt way too overwhelmed at the time, or I wasn't really in the right mindset to really read it and appreciate it. His erudition was legendary and the two previous novels of his that I had completed expressed this well with great storytelling and suspense mixed with a welcome knowledge of the late Middle ages and early Modern period of Europe.
While 'The Island of the Day Before' , shares these same qualities, it is a completely different monster. At times, I found myself lost in the philosophical perhaps pseudo-philosophical meanderings of Roberto and his cohorts and that took 2. At times, I found myself lost in the philosophical perhaps pseudo-philosophical meanderings of Roberto and his cohorts and that took away from my enjoyment; I just didn't care enough to dwell deep beyond the surface of its contents.
As I spent 3 months on this, I must say that I have NEVER stuck with a book as long as this and only did so because of my respect and enjoyment of his other works.
There was a ton of symbolism in this that I grasped mostly, perhaps, it went over my head at times which was interesting, but this just wasn't a satisfying read. I see a mixture of 1 and 5 ratings a plenty here and they are both justifiable, depending on what you gain from this piece of Eco's oeuvre that unfortunately, at one time, left me wanting to give up not only on the book, but his works overall.
Finally, if you are reading this, please do not start here. May 23, J. Hushour rated it it was amazing. This is a beautiful elegiac invocation of a lost age and just as good as Eco's "The Name of the Rose". However, I'd be wary of recommending this to others, because in many ways it is more of a kind of unraveling of a novel than an actual novel.
Now, I don't mean that in some stupid, pedantic, pomo bullshit kind of way. Rather, it is a multi-layered ode to a certain way of thinking in a certain era of history and how they can basically cause a novel to fall to pieces once you start plucking at it This is a beautiful elegiac invocation of a lost age and just as good as Eco's "The Name of the Rose". Rather, it is a multi-layered ode to a certain way of thinking in a certain era of history and how they can basically cause a novel to fall to pieces once you start plucking at its beautiful, beautiful threads.
The plot is simple if trying: a young Italian nobleman on a mission of espionage for the Church ends up shipwrecked on a ship after his ship gets destroyed in a storm. He is stuck on the ship in the bay of a beautiful island he apparently can't get to. He has a possibly imaginary evil twin brother, a crazed series of encounters with the thought and events of the time s, during the Year War , and these begin to generally inform both his madness and the events unfurling around him.
Plot, yes, but the real beauty of the book is the way the thought of the early 17th century is woven into the characters' perceptions of what is happening around them, and here we're talking biles, humours, the Void, the science of referred pain and healing via sympathy, and so on. You might, as I did, wonder what the hell was going on at any given time, but at least you are led astray beautifully! Jan 12, Paul rated it it was amazing. Definitely my favorite Eco book.
Got to give Annie props for recommending this one to me. Who knew that longitude could be such an interesting ontological motif? Shipwrecked on a ship. Such is the predicament of Roberto della Griva, who, having survived the torments of the open ocean on board floating debris, discovers an enormous, abandoned ship resting in the water outside a mysterious island.
He pulls himself on board and finds the ship empty, yet fully stocked, as if recently abandoned. The ship is vast and full of strange rooms. He discovers a garden populated with dozens of exotic birds, a room stocked with all manner of ticking clocks As he exp Shipwrecked on a ship.
As he explores the ship, he writes his account in his diary. Later, these papers find their way to an unnamed biographer, who assembles a book about Roberto. So we see the story of Roberto through his diaries, and we see the diaries through the biographer. The story of the ship is the beating heart of the narrative, and it is orbited by an excursion through the Baroque world, as Roberto's past adventures in Europe, encountering the alchemy and science of the age.
From these stories layered on stories, a twisted tale of espionage, science and magic emerges. Such is the delicious mixture of the adventurous and arcane that rules the first half of Umberto Eco's elegant puzzlebox of a novel, The Island of the Day Before.
I read the first one hundred and fifty pages of this book in almost one sitting. Eco's style is genial and pleasant, his characters are humorous and likable, his sense of atmosphere superb.
Throughout the opening of this novel, Eco draws on a number of influences. Defoe is here, and so is Cervantes and Rabelais. Yet these antique styles are married to more modern sensibility, the influence of Borges is clear, and a bit of Pynchon has snuck in while no one was looking. The Island of the Day Before is a pure pleasure to read.
Nearly every chapter features a new and delicious element. There are complex dialogues on mathematics, science, and theology. There are scenes of warfare and espionage. There are a few genuinely macabre villains, and a scene featuring an unfortunate dog that sent shivers down my spine.
And most of all, throughout, Eco contrasts a story of survival, perhaps the most primal drive, with the highest echelons of human intellect, and finds an equilibrium between the two. Eco's book, to me, is a tale of human dignity and the wonderful drive to learn. His style is generally restrained, but breaks sometimes into lavish lyricism. The second-to-last chapter, Itinerarium Extaticum Coeleste is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read, and represents a kind of confluence of all the themes Eco has developed throughout.
Science, magic, storytelling, and love combine in an explosion of gorgeous, surreal writing. It has to be seen to be believed. After reading a book as rich as The Island of the Day Before I am left wondering what to say in a review other than "Go and read this book immediately. In the face of a book of such immense learning, beauty, and joy, I am left feeling a bit unqualified, and all I can think to say is that I am going to be reading more Umberto Eco, and soon Strongly recommended.
Nov 30, Tihleigh rated it did not like it. I really hated this book. I choked through it due to the sheer fortitude engendered by my unreasonable need to finish every book that I start. Had I been able to dismiss it, I would have. A friend once told me that I should read Eco's essays, and that his fiction was an attempt to destroy overly-used literary devices of current literature by gluttonously indulging in them.
I've never actually bothered to look into whether or not it was true because, truthfully, it's the myth I really hated this book. I've never actually bothered to look into whether or not it was true because, truthfully, it's the myth I need to believe.
Mar 23, Jonfaith rated it really liked it. I read this one in the late 90s, bought a copy for my best friend shortly thereafter. I saw Ray Rizzo with a copy one evening at Ramsi's, I told him I enjoyed it and replied that he was eager for the challenge. He later played with Days of the New. Oh, those 90s! It was all optimism and challenges were there. Hubris was our cocktail. Our survival surprises me when I consider such. I should reread this ribald novel quite soon. Apr 14, Sarah rated it liked it.
This was a fun book in many ways, but is best suited for someone who enjoys all things nautical, which I am not. I still liked it, I just got tired of all the crazy theories on how to figure out longitude. It was interesting to read at this time, though. This guy was truly isolated, alone on a ship. We have so many ways to still reach people but he had only his imagination.
He made excellent use of it. Apr 05, Gavin rated it really liked it. I originally read this when it first came out, but have just completed a reread. It might be described as the ultimate shaggy dog story. Eco explores language to a large extent in this book with phrases that include multiple variations on a common stem, such as it was necessary that the necessities were provided or his intention was to intend on inattention.
That kind of thing anyway. His protagonist is stranded on a ship somewhere near the th meridian and writes of his past life, loves and fan I originally read this when it first came out, but have just completed a reread. His protagonist is stranded on a ship somewhere near the th meridian and writes of his past life, loves and fantasies. There's a novel within the novel too. The whole thing is ultimately unending.
Just about every little trick of the novelist's art is present. Viz: i The writer purports to have discovered a manuscript, which he proceeds to interpret and transcribe to make his story, akin to Don Quixote. Roberto writes the story of the life of his evil twin Ferrante and his lady love Lilia, both of whose paths intertwine with Roberto's past and current life.
Overall, this is certainly in the top five of Eco's novels not hard as he's only published 5 to date. I really wanted to like this book. While I'm not a big fan of Eco's books, I somehow seem to collect them, nonetheless.
The premise wowed me, the cover art is righteous And yet. The main character drove me crazy, Hamlet-style. He reminded me of the fear mongers who work jobs, but never leave their unhappy jobs and go through life blaming others.
It's like driving in the slow lane, even though all the other lanes are empty, and then getting unhappy because the slow lane is bumper-t I really wanted to like this book. It's like driving in the slow lane, even though all the other lanes are empty, and then getting unhappy because the slow lane is bumper-to-bumper.
Do something! Eco is a very intelligent writer, perhaps too intelligent for moi. Try I did, but success eluded me. Instead, I felt like Tantalus, with the grapes always eluding my grasp, the water always receding. Sadness envelops me, not worthy of Umberto. Me sorry! This book fits the pattern I've come to expect in Umberto Eco's writing: an excellent story lost in a haze of random thoughts, obscure references, and all together too many words. I would love it if someone took this book's concept and turned it into the brilliant book that it deserves to be.
Nov 15, [Name Redacted] rated it it was amazing Shelves: historical-fiction , religion , philosophy , real-world , sciences-and-maths.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have been meaning to read this book since the mids when I first heard it reviewed on NPR. I finally bought a copy in the late s from a used book store, but could never find the time to read it: there was always something else in the way, from other books required for my academic career to an inability to carry the sizeable hardcover around with me.
It seemed I would never get through this book until I discovered that there was, in fact, an audio-book version read by none other than th I have been meaning to read this book since the mids when I first heard it reviewed on NPR. I no longer have the lengthy commute that I once had in high school, but i do have a part-time desk job to fund my graduate education that involves very little human interaction.
No more excuses! I now have the pleasure of listening to one of my favorite voice-actors read this magnificent book. As for the book itself, well, it's full of the same voluptuous prose and marvelous attention to detail that we've all come to expect from Eco. The book is narrated by an anonymous scholar who recounts, based on various records, the life of a youth named Roberto shipwrecked in the South Seas in the s -- though naturally there is much detail included which could not possibly have been contained in the youth's writings.
Unable to swim, Roberto clings to a plank and drifts through the ocean, only to find himself marooned, not on a desert island, but on another ship which is anchored and abandoned in the bay of a desert island. He cannot leave the ship, because he cannot swim, but he cannot sail the ship alone, and so he is tormented by thoughts of his homeland, his past and the island he cannot reach A wonderful tale and I hope to read it again properly in the future.
Of particular interest is Roberto's evil older brother, a figment of his imagination which he dreamt up in his childhood and blamed for every crime of which he been wrongfully accused; as his life progresses it becomes harder to discern which deeds are in fact wrongfully attributed to Roberto and which deeds he has committed but chosen to attribute to the evil fictional brother.
Even stranger, to occupy himself while trapped on the abandoned vessel Roberto begins writing a romance in which his imaginary brother goes on to have his own scandalous adventures and seduce the Roberto's beloved.
As his writing continues, Roberto actually comes to feel the burden of guilt for the crimes committed by the imaginary brother in the fictional narrative Roberto has created, an inversion of their original relationship! Truly fascinating. Never do it. Every victory produces hatred in the vanquished, and if the victory is over one's own master, then it is foolish or harmful.
Princes wish to be assisted, not outstripped. But you must be prudent also with your equals. Borrow Listen. Want to Read. Delete Note Save Note. Download for print-disabled.
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