The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana by Umberto Eco

This has been lying in my to-read pile for about three millenia and I finally picked it up last night. I am still reading A.S Byatt but I felt I needed something else.

Every once in a while I read something I wish I had written. I have only read the first chapter of TMFofQL, so can’t yet say I wish it were mine, but I do wish I had thought of a character who wakes from a coma with no memory of himself or his life but who does remember every book he has ever read.

I remember buying this book without looking at the back cover synopsis or having read a review.  I was confident in my purchase because of  the old Campari advert on the cover, and reassuringly, the Author’s name. Foucault would be understanding.

I like not knowing anything, or just the barest information about a book before I read because I want to experience the adventure of discovery. I was delighted last night when I finally did read the synopsis; I was excited about the story; the countless possibilities, routes, twists and turns this story could take. Which version will unfold I wonder?