Comments on: The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/ patterns of light and memory Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:22:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: David http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-60661 David Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:36:07 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-60661 I found most of the book very gripping, but the last 20 pages or so (the big climax with all the characters on the staircase) were overdone, and I lost interest near the end. I found most of the book very gripping, but the last 20 pages or so (the big climax with all the characters on the staircase) were overdone, and I lost interest near the end.

]]> By: Greg Bryan http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-60483 Greg Bryan Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:27:13 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-60483 I got this book for Christmas and recently started to read it, dreading both its size and Eco's reputation for difficulty. I read it over the last week obsessively. Late at night, middle of the night, running home at noon.. The last two days I have deliberately slowed down, not wanting it to end. In the last section I found myself reading aloud. I’m not sure what grabbed me, but I can say that reading it has thoroughly enchanted me, made me want to read more of Eco, and learn more about the works and historical events alluded to in the novel. I’m surprised at the generally lukecold reviews. I loved it. I got this book for Christmas and recently started to read it, dreading both its size and Eco’s reputation for difficulty. I read it over the last week obsessively. Late at night, middle of the night, running home at noon.. The last two days I have deliberately slowed down, not wanting it to end. In the last section I found myself reading aloud.

I’m not sure what grabbed me, but I can say that reading it has thoroughly enchanted me, made me want to read more of Eco, and learn more about the works and historical events alluded to in the novel.

I’m surprised at the generally lukecold reviews. I loved it.

]]> By: Paula http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-59479 Paula Sat, 01 Sep 2007 07:22:10 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-59479 The joke is, for someone like me, for whom both the Name of the Rose, and Foucault's pendulum were not at all intriguing, I had a somewhat different reaction. I am truly loving Queen Loana -- I love how the author sort of takes you by the hand, and takes you into his childhood, showing off all his beloved books and toys. I don't doubt the library is all his. It feels like a personal visit with the man. I especially loved the exploration of the big house at Solara and the obvious parallels with the Augustine text on memory. The joke is, for someone like me, for whom both the Name of the Rose, and Foucault’s pendulum were not at all intriguing, I had a somewhat different reaction. I am truly loving Queen Loana — I love how the author sort of takes you by the hand, and takes you into his childhood, showing off all his beloved books and toys. I don’t doubt the library is all his. It feels like a personal visit with the man. I especially loved the exploration of the big house at Solara and the obvious parallels with the Augustine text on memory.

]]> By: Gerry http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-57232 Gerry Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:11:13 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-57232 I quite agree with your assessment of this book's limitations. Yambo is neithewr particularly likeable nor admirable, with the result that the reader is never fully engaged by hus quest to recapture his personal past. The most interesting aspects of the book are the satirical treatmnet of fascist propaganda and the anecdotes involving the grandfather. While the illustrations are beautiful in the edition I read they really do not contribute much to the telling of the story. In fact, they serve as a distraction -- not an entirely unwelcome one -- from what is often a rather tedious catalogue of books and comics from the period of Yambo's youth. We have come to expect better things from Eco. I quite agree with your assessment of this book’s limitations. Yambo is neithewr particularly likeable nor admirable, with the result that the reader is never fully engaged by hus quest to recapture his personal past. The most interesting aspects of the book are the satirical treatmnet of fascist propaganda and the anecdotes involving the grandfather. While the illustrations are beautiful in the edition I read they really do not contribute much to the telling of the story. In fact, they serve as a distraction — not an entirely unwelcome one — from what is often a rather tedious catalogue of books and comics from the period of Yambo’s youth. We have come to expect better things from Eco.

]]> By: Carrie Segal http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-56344 Carrie Segal Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:27:44 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-56344 Having read every Eco book I must say this book was excellent. My feelings became strongly entertwined with those of Yambo and as I eagerly read through those somewhat long & rambling sections I felt an almost frantic need to continue turning the pages, almost experiencing the same 'Lost in the Fog' feeling but knowing I might be able to find the end if only I could reach the right page. Having read every Eco book I must say this book was excellent. My feelings became strongly entertwined with those of Yambo and as I eagerly read through those somewhat long & rambling sections I felt an almost frantic need to continue turning the pages, almost experiencing the same ‘Lost in the Fog’ feeling but knowing I might be able to find the end if only I could reach the right page.

]]> By: Zsolt Szabo http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-51612 Zsolt Szabo Sat, 28 Jul 2007 06:21:30 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-51612 Best Eco book? Definetly the Foucault's pendulum... Worst Eco book? I've yet to read the Baudolino from the five novels, but so far, I think Princess Loana is the worst... It's still better than other writers' books, but it's not the same quality as the other ones Eco... I agree with your review! Great one! Oh, and a selfish comment: The one who "reads" Eco using an "audiobook" maybe shouldn't "read" Eco at all... Stay with Dan Brown, fella.... [of course this doesn't apply to those with seeing disabilities...] Anyways, still: ECO RULES! Best Eco book? Definetly the Foucault’s pendulum…

Worst Eco book? I’ve yet to read the Baudolino from the five novels, but so far, I think Princess Loana is the worst… It’s still better than other writers’ books, but it’s not the same quality as the other ones Eco… I agree with your review! Great one!

Oh, and a selfish comment: The one who “reads” Eco using an “audiobook” maybe shouldn’t “read” Eco at all… Stay with Dan Brown, fella…. [of course this doesn't apply to those with seeing disabilities...]

Anyways, still: ECO RULES!

]]> By: Able Lawrence http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-46968 Able Lawrence Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:15:26 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-46968 I do not agree. The structire of this novel is very different from other Eco novels. So people who appreciate the "thriller" genre in Eco will be disappointed. It will delight those philosophically inclined, those interested in the inner quest for identity. What am I? What is the essence of a man? May be it is not for everyone. I do not agree.
The structire of this novel is very different from other Eco novels. So people who appreciate the “thriller” genre in Eco will be disappointed.
It will delight those philosophically inclined, those interested in the inner quest for identity. What am I? What is the essence of a man?
May be it is not for everyone.

]]> By: Peggy http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/comment-page-1/#comment-44505 Peggy Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:23:53 +0000 http://arthedains.com/blog/2007/02/02/the-mysterious-flame-of-queen-loana/#comment-44505 This was my first Umberto Eco novel, and without reading what you have to say, it could have been my last. I didn't "read" it , but listened to it in audio book form, narrated by George Guidall. The only reason I finished it was due to Mr. Guidall's excellent reading. I realize I missed the illustrations, but at times the story became so tedious that I would not have finished it in the usual paper fashion. That said, I may search out other novels by Eco based on your comments. What would you recommend as your favorite of his books? This was my first Umberto Eco novel, and without reading what you have to say, it could have been my last. I didn’t “read” it , but listened to it in audio book form, narrated by George Guidall. The only reason I finished it was due to Mr. Guidall’s excellent reading. I realize I missed the illustrations, but at times the story became so tedious that I would not have finished it in the usual paper fashion. That said, I may search out other novels by Eco based on your comments. What would you recommend as your favorite of his books?

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