The Prague Cemetery
ABOUT
THE BOOK
Nineteenth-century Europe abounds with conspiracy both ghastly and mysterious. Jesuits plot against Freemasons. Italian priests are strangled with their own intestines. French criminals plan bombings by day and celebrate black masses by night. Every nation has its own secret service, perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres.
But what if, behind all of these conspiracies, lies just one man?
ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Richard
Dixon
Richard Dixon is an English translator of Italian literature. He translated the last works of Umberto Eco, including his novels The Prague Cemetery, shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2012, and Numero Zero, commended by the judges of the John Florio Prize, 2016. He has also translated works by Giacomo Leopardi, Roberto Calasso and Antonio Moresco.
Richard Dixon is an English translator of Italian literature. He translated the last works of Umberto Eco, including his novels The Prague Cemetery, shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2012, and Numero Zero, commended by the judges of the John Florio Prize, 2016. He has also translated works by Giacomo Leopardi, Roberto Calasso and Antonio Moresco.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
Despite it looks like a mere work of literary engineering, Eco’s book doesn’t fool anyone. It is a major effort to rearrange history in order to build such an uncomfortable character. As the story evolves one can find pure literature in the powerful way of putting things together. It is not an easy task, and this is precisely why this book makes the difference.
Anti hero Simonini takes us through an incredible, not easy read. Wonderful mix of a classic novel with a chilling thriller. A detailed historical novel about 19th century Europe chronicling the chaos of expanding international communication.
This dark tale is delightfully embellished with sophisticated and playful commentary on a tale by a master.