The book follows Yambo, a rare book dealer who wakes up with amnesia, unable to remember his own life but can recall every book he's ever read. He embarks on a journey to reconstruct his memories by delving into his childhood books, records, and drawings, exploring Italian life during the 1930s and 1940s. The narrative intertwines Yambo's personal quest for identity with historical events and cultural artifacts, creating a rich tapestry of memories and self-discovery. The writing style is described as detailed, meandering, and at times overwhelming with extensive references to literature and cultural elements, while also incorporating illustrations to enhance the storytelling experience.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include discussions of amnesia, reflections on fascism, and potential themes relating to illness and existential crises.
Has Romance?
There are elements of romance, particularly related to Yambo's past and his experiences with a lost love, which are explored but not heavily emphasized.
From The Publisher:
In this fascinating, abundant new novel from the incomparable Eco, Yambo, a rare-book dealer, has suffered a bizarre form of memory loss. He can remember every book he ever read but nothing about his own life.
In an effort to retrieve his past, he withdraws into his old family home and searches through boxes of old newspapers, comics, records, photo albums and diaries kept in the attic. And so Yambo relives his youth: Mussolini, Catholic education, Josephine Baker, Flash Gordon, Fred Astaire. His memories run wild, and life racing before his eyes takes the form of a graphic novel. Yambo struggles through the flames to capture one simple, innocent image, that of his first love.
Ratings (2)
Loved It (2) |
Reader Stats (5):
Read It (2) | |
Want To Read (3) |
What can you read after
The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana?
About the Author:
Umberto Eco (1932-2016) wrote fiction, literary criticism and philosophy. His first novel, The Name of the Rose, was a major international bestseller. His other works include Foucault's Pendulum, The Island of the Day Before, Baudolino, The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, The Prague Cemetery and Numero Zero along with many brilliant collections of essays.
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