In Foucault's Pendulum, Casaubon is a key character. He is an intellectual type who gets drawn into the complex world of conspiracy research. Belbo is another main character, a somewhat cynical yet curious man. His actions and decisions often drive the plot forward. Diotallevi, with his religious and cultural knowledge, is also among the main characters. Together, they form a group that becomes enmeshed in the search for the truth behind various conspiracy theories.
The main theme is the exploration of conspiracy theories. It delves into the idea of secret societies and their supposed influence on historical events.
I also consider 'The Prague Cemetery' to be among his best. It's a dark and thought - provoking novel that delves into themes of identity, false identities, and the power of misinformation. Eco's masterful storytelling makes this a very interesting read.
One of his best - known novels is 'The Name of the Rose'. It combines historical mystery, religious themes and complex characters in a medieval monastery setting. It's a very engaging read.
I would also consider 'The Prague Cemetery' as one of his best. It delves into themes of identity, false memories, and historical manipulation. Eco's writing style in this novel is as elaborate as ever, painting a vivid and often disturbing picture of the characters and their world.
I'm not sure. There's no official news that I'm aware of. Umberto Eco was a prolific writer, but without clear announcements, it's hard to say if there's a new novel in the works.
Complexity is a key feature. His plots are not straightforward. In 'Foucault's Pendulum', the story is like a maze of different ideas and events that are all interconnected in a complex way. It can be a bit challenging to follow at times but also very rewarding for the patient reader.
Clergy or religious figures sometimes appear. Given Eco's interest in religious history and symbolism, these characters can bring in elements of faith, dogma, and the struggle between religious teachings and modern ideas. They might be monks debating theological concepts or priests involved in some sort of mystery related to the church's past or present.
One of the main themes is often the exploration of knowledge and mystery. Eco's stories tend to dig into the complex relationship between what is known and what remains hidden. For example, in some of his works, he plays with the idea of secret codes and hidden meanings within texts, making the reader question how much we really understand about the world around us and the information we encounter.