Literature · 1988 · literary fiction, mystery
In late-20th-century Milan, three editors at a small publishing house—Casaubon, Belbo, and Diotallevi—grow obsessed with the occult manuscripts they review. For amusement, they devise 'The Plan,' an intricate fictional conspiracy linking secret societies and hidden histories. But as their invention spirals, it begins to take on a life of its own, drawing them into a dangerous world of obsession, paranoia, and blurred truths. The novel explores the seductive power of meaning-making and the peril of seeing patterns everywhere.
Unofficial fan work — not affiliated with the rights holders.
Origins
How the editors' obsessions and backgrounds set the stage for The Plan.
Alliances
Friendships, rivalries, and shifting loyalties among the trio and their circle.
Shadows
Secret societies, hidden enemies, and the dangers lurking behind The Plan.
Places
Key locations: the Milan publishing house, Paris, museums, and occult sites.
Relics
Manuscripts, symbols, and the titular pendulum—objects that drive the mystery.
Casaubon
Lead
Jacopo Belbo
Ally
Diotallevi
Heart
Agliè
Rival
Lia
Witness
Lead
A man in his late 30s, Italian, with thoughtful brown eyes, dark wavy hair, and a trimmed beard. He wears a rumpled tweed jacket, open-collared shirt, and carries an air of quiet skepticism. His posture is alert but reserved, always observing.
Analytical, curious, cautious; the narrative anchor. Deeply tied to Belbo and Diotallevi; emotionally linked to Lia.
Ally
A man in his early 40s, tall and thin, with pale skin, sharp features, and receding dark hair. He favors dark suits, slim ties, and always seems slightly disheveled. His eyes are haunted, his mouth quick to smirk or frown.
Witty, melancholic, romantic; the dreamer and skeptic. Close to Casaubon and Diotallevi; haunted by his past loves.
Heart
A man in his late 30s, short and stocky, with curly black hair and round glasses. He wears conservative suits, often with a sweater vest, and carries a briefcase. His face is expressive, with a gentle smile and eyes that hint at sorrow.
Warm, devout, quietly humorous; the moral and emotional center. Bonds the trio; his illness and faith ground the story's stakes.
Rival
A man in his 60s, elegant and imposing, with silver hair brushed back and a meticulously groomed mustache. He wears tailored three-piece suits, silk scarves, and carries a cane. His eyes are penetrating, his presence magnetic and enigmatic.
Charismatic, mysterious, manipulative; claims secret knowledge. Draws the trio deeper into the conspiracy; source of danger and allure.
Witness
A woman in her mid-30s, with olive skin, long dark hair, and kind, perceptive eyes. She dresses simply—wool sweaters, skirts, and boots—her style practical yet warm. Her posture is open, her expression wise and grounded.
Insightful, nurturing, skeptical of fantasy; the voice of reality. Casaubon's partner; interprets the world and brings him back to earth.
Painterly illustration echoing late-1980s literary covers: muted earths, shadowed interiors, rain-washed city streets, and enigmatic artifacts. Characters wear period-accurate Italian and French clothing—wool coats, scarves, tailored jackets—set against a backdrop of libraries and occult museums. Light is moody, filtered through windows or streetlamps, with a tactile sense of paper, ink, and old stone.
Story-weather as light. Painterly illustration, cloth, paper.
