First off, Foucault's Pendulum has much less action than a Dan Brown book. It also takes place over more than a 24 hour period. The most striking difference is the depth of the plot. Rather than be filled with a series of simple codes and and connections that unravel as the book progresses, Eco weaves a complex history and conspiracy that requires the reader to pay full attention.
Eco begins the book with the conspiracy alive and ready to expose itself. We see Causaubon enter a museum in Paris to find is friend Belbo who has informed Causaubon that The Plan is real. Eco quickly pulls the story into flashback and the majority of the book takes place in the past, a past that spans 10-15 years, or more. Causaubon is the main character we follow for the entirety of the book. He is a n expert on the Templar's and is drawn into a publisher to screen books about the templars. Eventually he and his friend Belbo begin to work up their own conspiracy regarding the Templars and other secret societies. In the end the made up conspiracy, known as The Plan, turns out to be a reality. Most of the book deals with the creation of The Plan, with little real action.
Overall I found the book enjoyable. It's not a book that should be read in small snippets, whichh unfortunately is how I read it. I took two months to actually read the whole book. The language is not difficult, but the themes and the history detailed in the book require the reader to pay attention in order to get full enjoyment. In contrast, The Da Vinci Code requires no such attention due to its simple nature. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys history for sure. Just make sure you have time to read it in large chunks.
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