Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco is an intricate intellectual thriller that delves into conspiracy theories, secret societies, and the nature of human belief. The novel follows three Milanese publishers who, as a joke, invent a grand conspiracy known as "The Plan," connecting the Knights Templar, the Rosicrucians, and countless other esoteric traditions. However, when real secretive organizations begin taking their fiction seriously, the game turns deadly. Blending history, philosophy, and Eco’s signature erudition, Foucault’s Pendulum is a labyrinthine exploration of knowledge, paranoia, and the power of the stories we tell ourselves.

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