Focault's Pendulum

I started reading this the other day and I have read about 70 pages so far.

I am very impressed. The big conspiracy elements are only being hinted at so far, there is a lot of foreshadowing.

I would not be surprised to learn that Neal Stephenson was influenced by Umberto Eco since there is a lot of side issues dealt with for a page or two which do not detract from the main story.