Umberto Eco’s first novel, an international sensation and winner of the Premio Strega and the Prix Médicis Étranger awards
The year is 1327. Franciscans in a wealthy Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, and Brother William of Baskerville arrives to investigate. When his delicate mission is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths, Brother William turns detective. His tools are the logic … detective. His tools are the logic of Aristotle, the theology of Aquinas, the empirical insights of Roger Bacon — all sharpened to a glistening edge by wry humor and a ferocious curiosity. He collects evidence, deciphers secret symbols and coded manuscripts, and digs into the eerie labyrinth of the abbey, where “the most interesting things happen at night.”
“Like the labyrinthine library at its heart, this brilliant novel has many cunning passages and secret chambers… Fascinating… ingenious… dazzling.” –Newsweek
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I love Umberto Eco and The Name of the Rose is one of his best. Most people have probably heard of it since it was a movie. I think the movie was pretty good (after all Christian Slater kind of had a wardrobe mishap in it) but the book is great. A medieval mystery par excellence. And if you like it, try The Book of Shadows.
Who sets a mystery in a monastery? Umberto Eco, that’s who! It takes serious writing chops to pull that off in itself. But then he sets the story in 1327 just to add to the degree of difficulty. With all those challenges, he pulls off a page-turner. Even if this isn’t the sub-genre of mystery you prefer, you will appreciate Eco’s craft.
This is a BIG book. It is a thriller/mystery set in a monastery. I read this in seminary for extra credit in a History of Christianity class and it is a really, really good book. The plot is complex and will take you on an event-filled journey. It also depicts ancient life in a monastery accurately.
Mystery. Monks. Murder.
The Da Vinci Code but WAY better. Lots of deciphering. Medieval manuscripts . . . and a funny monk detective.
Plus, beautiful writing. So good.
Not for the feint of heart, but a superbly crafted, if very dense, book.
I read this book a very long time ago. I have trouble remembering the books I read last week, but I cannot forget this one. I loved the esoteric references and the twisted plot. So the mind is stimulated in two ways at once. It is a big meaty book that takes your whole mind to read. It’s like advanced yoga for the brain!
I read this book several years ago. If you’re a fan of intellectual historical fiction, this book is a must-read. The writing is excellent and very descriptive. I must say the end of the mystery was a bit of a let-down for me but, in spite of that, I really enjoyed this book. It inspired me to seek out more books in this particular genre.
Did not finish.
This makes for an interesting read and I am sure many will give it five stars. So do not be put off by my only giving it four. It is well written and the atmosphere of a medieval monastery, with more than its fair share of rather dubious monks, just oozes from the pages. The plot is an intriguing one.
The story starts with Enzo, a novice monk, …
One of Eco’s best.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco is translated by William Weaver. It is set in Italy in 1327. Brother William of Baskerville is sent to investigate the suspicions of heresy by the Benedictines in a wealthy abbey. However, when arriving at the abbey, mysterious deaths force him to turn detective.
While the story line was interesting and the …
Wonderful story in the Middle Ages. If you love libraries, you’ll love this story.
Deservedly a classic.
You have to work hard to read this book, but it is well worth the effort
As a calligrapher and history buff, this is a favorite book.
Author snooty and off-putting, and I have a Ph.D. in English
My whole family has read this book. Each of it has enjoyed . It is very different and engrossing.
intellectual
Wordy, sometimes difficult to follow, but a fascinating but complex story.
The Name of the Rose truly deserves the classic status it has. A real who-done-it on one hand, but also so much more. You feel you are truly part of a middle age monastery and come to understand the day to day life, relationships, politics, theological disputes, and more. Part of the story is the developing friendship of the two main …