Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Name of the Rose

   A Novel of Suspense

   

   Set in a wealthy Italian monastery in the 14th century, the novel follows a Franciscan friar and his young apprentice as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths within the monastery. As they navigate the labyrinthine library and decipher cryptic manuscripts, they uncover a complex plot involving forbidden books, secret societies, and the Inquisition. The novel is a blend of historical fiction, mystery, and philosophical exploration, delving into themes of truth, knowledge, and the power of the written word.

   The 151st Greatest Book of All Time

2. 2. Foucault's Pendulum

   

   This novel follows three intellectual friends who work at a small publishing house. As a joke, they start inventing a conspiracy theory about a secret society that has been manipulating world events for centuries. However, as they delve deeper into their own fabrication, they begin to lose sight of what's real and what's not. Their lives take a dangerous turn when actual secret societies believe they hold the key to a universal secret and will stop at nothing to obtain it.

   The 1448th Greatest Book of All Time

3. 3. Baudolino

   

   Set in the 12th century, the novel follows Baudolino, a self-proclaimed liar and adventurer, as he travels from his home in Italy to the mythical kingdom of Prester John. Along the way, he becomes embroiled in a series of political and religious intrigues, meets a variety of fantastical creatures, and tells a series of increasingly elaborate lies. The narrative is framed as a story Baudolino is telling to a Byzantine historian, adding another layer of unreliability to his already questionable narrative.

   The 5039th Greatest Book of All Time

4. 4. The Island Of The Day Before

   

   In "The Island of the Day Before," a man finds himself stranded on a deserted ship in the South Pacific during the 17th century. As he struggles with his isolation and memories of his past life, he becomes obsessed with solving the problem of calculating longitude, a crucial challenge for navigators of his time. The narrative weaves intricate layers of history, science, and philosophy, exploring themes of knowledge, time, and the elusive nature of truth. The protagonist's reflections and adventures confront the limits of human understanding and the intersections of myth, science, and the power of storytelling.

   The 8346th Greatest Book of All Time
5. 5. The Prague Cemetery

   

   The novel is a complex historical narrative set in 19th-century Europe, weaving a tale of conspiracy, espionage, and deceit. It follows the life of a master forger who becomes entangled in the creation of a notorious anti-Semitic document, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Through a blend of real and fictional characters, the story explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the power of fabricated narratives in shaping history. The protagonist's shifting allegiances and moral ambiguity highlight the pervasive influence of propaganda and the dark undercurrents of European society during this tumultuous period.

   The 9459th Greatest Book of All Time

6. 6. Número Cero

   

   The novel is a satirical exploration of the world of journalism and conspiracy theories, set in 1992 Milan. It follows a group of journalists working on a newspaper that is never meant to be published, intended instead to blackmail and manipulate public opinion. Through the eyes of the protagonist, a failed writer named Colonna, the story delves into themes of media manipulation, the construction of false narratives, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction. As the team uncovers a potential conspiracy involving Mussolini's death, the narrative critiques the power dynamics and ethical compromises within the media industry.