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
more
Loved this book.
Umberto Eco’s mastery in the universe of semiotics is redolent in his language and imagery. Beautifully plotted, this book is engrossing and takes the reader on an historical journey that is fascinating.
It was a great period piece showing the politics, the cruelty, the intolerance of religion especially when most people were thoroughly ignorant and easily manipulated using fear and reward as most religions do. The characters rose from the pages as one identifies with common human characteristics and reactions to the environment in which they …
Fantastic writing by a brilliant author.
I read it at least three times and that says something about the quality of the book.
Umberto Eco is a wonderfully original writer. He challenges the reader and takes them along on his adventure. Very much worth your reading time.
Though it is long, I really liked this book
I especially liked having to translate rhe Latin included in it.
The historical accuracy was very interesting.
I read this book decades ago when I was in high school; it was my introduction to how wonderful a good historical novel could be.
a medieval murder mystery
You have to work to get through this tome. It’s OK if you need a long term friend to go everywhere with you but it isn’t a light, quick read.
This is a must read and it is a page-turner. Put it on your bucket list of books to read. You will be mesmerized once you start it.
Good mystery in the Middle Ages in a different place one would expect to find a murder mystery.
Very hard to read.
I’ve had this book for years. It requires concentration and definitely isn’t a beach read, but it’s an excellent medieval mystery.
The book does work as a mystery novel, but I think it works even more as a look into the sort of thinking prevalent in the Middle Ages — the centerpiece of the book (not the movie) is the debate held at the monastery between the Franciscans and the Dominicans over “Did Jesus own his own shoes?” as I recall.
On the surface, Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose looks like Sherlock Holmes in a 14th century Italian abbey. There’s a murder mystery; Adso, a young Austrian monk at the time of the story’s events, serves as a Watson-like, first-person narrator; and William, a former inquisitor, plays the part of an observant English detective. Eco even nods at …
Very dark
Mr. Eco did his historical research before writing this book. I prefer historical novels that are true to history rather than putting real historical figures in fictional situations. This was well written and gives an excellent picture of medieval times, culture and prejudices.
Although it was highly rated by the critics, I was less happy with the book. It seemed somewhat plodding to me; but then the book had just been published which meant I was young and looking for excitement. Now I would probably appreciate its richness.
Great read – the best of this author’s books. Kept drawing me in, wondering what was going to happen next, to the point where I just couldn’t stop reading. One of my all-time favorite fiction books. Highly recommend!