Island of The Day Before by Umberto Eco

Island of The Day Before

Island of The Day Before is a historical fiction novel set in the 17th century during the search for the secret of longitude. The central character, Roberto della Griva, is an Italian nobleman who finds himself shipwrecked on an abandoned ship, the Daphne, anchored off a mysterious Pacific island.

He convinces himself that the International Date Line runs through the island, which adds to his slowly decaying mental state. The novel explores the theme of how perception and experience alter each other in a never-ceasing dance. Perception is conditioned by experience but also modified by rhetorical training, philosophical systems, and special lenses.

What I Liked

It’s complex, interesting, with an intriguing setting.

What I Did Not Like

I needed a lot of Sparknotes and online summaries to make it through this one.

Island of The Day Before by Umberto Eco
$15.40
In Island of The Day Before, Umberto Eco takes us to the 17th century, where we follow Roberto della Griva, an Italian nobleman stuck on a deserted ship near a mysterious island while grappling with the concept of the International Date Line. The book dives into how our experiences shape our perceptions, which is fascinating but also pretty dense. I appreciated the complexity and the unique setting, but I found myself relying on Sparknotes and summaries to keep up. Overall, it’s an intriguing read, but definitely not a breezy one!
Pros:
  • The novel is complex and interesting.
  • It has an intriguing setting.
  • It explores deep themes about perception and experience.
Cons:
  • I needed a lot of Sparknotes and online summaries to make it through this one.
I earn a commission at no cost to you when bought via this link. Also check your local library. Thank you!
02/11/2025 07:26 pm GMT
Share this post!

Similar Posts