The Name of the Rose

Reviews (See all 1,618) Write a reviewfor this

It's a hit!

Books such as this are borne out of years of scholarship and labour.Take this book as a murder mystery, take this book as a historical novel, or a ... (show more)

Books such as this are borne out of years of scholarship and labour.Take this book as a murder mystery, take this book as a historical novel, or a neo-medieval classic; its absolutely the best on all scores,a class of its own. I am now going to read everything from Umberto Eco.

It is true that parts of the books are hard to read.You realize by the time you finish the first 150 pages, it prepares for an experience to be savored. Basically an entire medieval alpine monastery set in the 13th century is made alive. Those who find the style tedious, should know that this book pretends to be a 13th century manuscript rediscovered.

The book is amazingly accurate in historical and architectural details. Even the length the characters speak are measured based on the exact architectural distance they walk, no more no less.

You get a feeling of seeing the film, I have yet to see it. The British Monk William seems to be a role made for Sean Connery. It will be a huge mistake to see the film without reading the book.

Comparison with the other Christian murder mystery, Da Vinci Code is easy. Actually this one is a class apart. I have read both. I liked Da Vinci Code, but reading it once is enough. I am sure I am going to read again the first part of this book. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-användare

No, it's a flop!

The Name of the Rose is set in 1327 in an Italian monastery where Monks are dying in mysterious ways. In a time where the Catholic Church is dividi... (show more)

The Name of the Rose is set in 1327 in an Italian monastery where Monks are dying in mysterious ways. In a time where the Catholic Church is dividing and differing Catholic communities are accusing each other of heresy emotions are running high. Brother William of Baskerville and his companion, and the narrator, Adso arrive after the first death and turn detective and sidekick as they try to unravel the mystery. Now this makes it sound like your average historical murder mystery but it is so much more than that.

Umberto Eco’s novel is undoubtedly a masterpiece, however for me it was an alienating one. Unlike when I read The Blind Assassin a few weeks ago the hard work didn’t seem to pay of with The Name of the Rose. I am not a religious person, I have nothing against it at all – the Non-Reader is Catholic, but I do find the history of religion interesting. However when the history of it is told for five pages a chapter and the same stories of heretics and the anti-Christ are reworded and repeated making what would be a great 250 page mystery into a 500 epic even a die hard theologist would have trouble with this book.

The prose is stunning though in all honesty I think Eco might work by the rule of ‘why use one word when I can use a paragraph’. The interspersed Latin I found slightly pretentious and a bit ‘look how clever I am and you aren’t’ which slightly alienates a reader, well it did me anyways. I don’t want a book to make me feel stupid. Now bare in mind I know some Latin, my mother being a Latin, Classics and English Literature teacher, I am not even someone who has no knowledge of it and I found it grated on me and to only then be reworded in English just seemed like more words to bulk up the book.

I also never felt I got to know the characters as there were so many of them and though I did really like Brother William of Baskerville and Adso as characters I never quite felt on side with them because sure enough one of them would soon be spouting paragraphs of Eco-isms and I would be put of them for a fair few pages. As for all the other characters well with all the similar names I would sometimes think that they were talking to a character that I would suddenly realise had been dead for a few pages. Back to the positive however I thought the book had moments of genius, the mystery and suspense was wonderful when it was in the book and not being shrouded by Eco-isms. Joining William and Adso as they ventured through the dark twisting labyrinth of corridors, secret passages, turrets and the amazing library of the monastery did have me on the edge of my seat. I just wish the whole book had been like that, that would have been superb. (show less)

 

 

by Simon Savidge

More Reviews

• 
  

  Amazing book completely worth reading. I found it hard to read the first pages but I now realize that the slow parts in the story are an essential part in making this novel unforgettable. The depth to which you get to know and understand the characters brings with it a deep feeling of melancholy when you finish reading, as if an old exciting chapter of your life had ended with the last page, never to return. The book is full of conflict between desire and obedience with clever and potentiall... (show more)

  Amazing book completely worth reading. I found it hard to read the first pages but I now realize that the slow parts in the story are an essential part in making this novel unforgettable. The depth to which you get to know and understand the characters brings with it a deep feeling of melancholy when you finish reading, as if an old exciting chapter of your life had ended with the last page, never to return. The book is full of conflict between desire and obedience with clever and potentially exhausting theological debates.

  I happened to have studied architecture before reading this novel and noticed how historically accurate and realistic the settings in the novel were. It is cleverly narrated to the point where you can almost feel the cold air in your face and have your heart beating at the suspense as if it were happening to you.

  TRULY clever, original and exhilarating. (show less)

   

   

  by Karla Hernandez on Feb 24, 2009 at 01:12AM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• 
  

  This is another of my favorite favorites. If you can get past the occasional tangents about fairly obscure medieval and ecclesiastical history at the beginning of the novel, you are in for nothing short of a delicious mystery that never lets you down. The historical background adds richness to the story in a way that so many have since then attempted to copy without true success. If you have ever watched the movie with Sean Connery, please do not be dissuaded from reading this. The narrative ... (show more)

  This is another of my favorite favorites. If you can get past the occasional tangents about fairly obscure medieval and ecclesiastical history at the beginning of the novel, you are in for nothing short of a delicious mystery that never lets you down. The historical background adds richness to the story in a way that so many have since then attempted to copy without true success. If you have ever watched the movie with Sean Connery, please do not be dissuaded from reading this. The narrative is complex, intelligent and engaging while giving readers a taste of monastic life and a world where books and literature are not thought of as friends but as potential threats if not outright enemies. The characters feel real, and the reader can only stare in astonishment at the amount of effort put into barricading knowledge. We read as one within a labyrinth; finding our way out is immensely satisfying and awe-inspiring. (show less)

   

  by Facebook-användare on Aug 19, 2009 at 03:09PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• See all reviews
  Write a review