Scan barcode
potatopineappleman's review against another edition
1.0
An awfully terrible book; endless droning on about pointless topics, and not an original story at all!
evathms's review against another edition
L’intrigue est super mais besoin d’une grande érudition sur l’église catholique
ravixforlorn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
libliz's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, I really wanted to like this book—and maybe it is the curse of adding it to my “currently reading” shelf—but I’m about 100 pages out from finishing and I just can’t be bothered. The writing and the setting are both very well-done but the plotting/pacing are just meh. I’ll finish it at some point but for now I’m marking it as DNF.
runjnee's review against another edition
4.0
What a mind-blowing read.
(This is a pretty disjointed review owing to the amount of gushing involved. No spoilers, however.)
Owing to various circumstances, I had to keep snatching time to read this book, and therefore ended up having to stick with it for a very long time. I wish I could have read it faster so that I can read it again sooner. This was Eco's first book? Woah.
I have read a few of his other books, and went into this one expecting it to be similar to Baudolino. I found it much better in a completely different way, but I also felt that there was a bit too much exposition at some places. To be expected, perhaps, in a book with Benedictine monks, but that's the only reason I took away one star (although I agree with the "it was amazing" according to Goodreads' rating system). In one part, I actually put the book down angry at how much preaching I had to read!
Plot-wise, it's an excellent mystery with an ending that is apropos. I grew quite fond of the narrator and Brother William, and despite the number of characters focused on in the monastery, I remember all of them by name. Each one has a distinct personality that has somehow been fully fleshed out even if only a few pages have been devoted to describing them.
One complaint many people seem to have about this book is the amount of Latin in it. Despite that, it didn't go over my head - most of it can be understood contextually anyway, even if you can't place the quote.
Despite all its other merits, the biggest plus of the book for me was the wrapping up of the mystery. I'm someone who doesn't mind spoilers - I can definitely enjoy the journey to the end even if I know the end. In this book's case, I didn't (surprising despite how famous it is, I suppose), and for the first time in my life I feel like it was a good thing that I didn't. The read wouldn't have been as enjoyable. It is a mystery that is perfectly solvable on our own, unlike all those other novels where the main detective knows things we don't, and so the experience is highly rewarding.
I find myself learning so much when reading an Eco book. This is one that I will definitely revisit with a pen and notebook on one side, and Google on the other.
(This is a pretty disjointed review owing to the amount of gushing involved. No spoilers, however.)
Owing to various circumstances, I had to keep snatching time to read this book, and therefore ended up having to stick with it for a very long time. I wish I could have read it faster so that I can read it again sooner. This was Eco's first book? Woah.
I have read a few of his other books, and went into this one expecting it to be similar to Baudolino. I found it much better in a completely different way, but I also felt that there was a bit too much exposition at some places. To be expected, perhaps, in a book with Benedictine monks, but that's the only reason I took away one star (although I agree with the "it was amazing" according to Goodreads' rating system). In one part, I actually put the book down angry at how much preaching I had to read!
Plot-wise, it's an excellent mystery with an ending that is apropos. I grew quite fond of the narrator and Brother William, and despite the number of characters focused on in the monastery, I remember all of them by name. Each one has a distinct personality that has somehow been fully fleshed out even if only a few pages have been devoted to describing them.
One complaint many people seem to have about this book is the amount of Latin in it. Despite that, it didn't go over my head - most of it can be understood contextually anyway, even if you can't place the quote.
Despite all its other merits, the biggest plus of the book for me was the wrapping up of the mystery. I'm someone who doesn't mind spoilers - I can definitely enjoy the journey to the end even if I know the end. In this book's case, I didn't (surprising despite how famous it is, I suppose), and for the first time in my life I feel like it was a good thing that I didn't. The read wouldn't have been as enjoyable. It is a mystery that is perfectly solvable on our own, unlike all those other novels where the main detective knows things we don't, and so the experience is highly rewarding.
I find myself learning so much when reading an Eco book. This is one that I will definitely revisit with a pen and notebook on one side, and Google on the other.
chiefmcclane's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Spoilers for both this book and the 2023 video game inspired by this book, Pentiment.
I wanted to read this book because Pentiment was my 2023 game of the year, and this was cited by Josh Sawyer as a direct inspiration on multiple fronts: themes, the central plot of a murder mystery in an abbey, the structure of days broken into liturgical hours, the semiotic expression of works that inspire other works each building on top of each other.
This was a difficult book to read. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult fiction books that I have ever read. I have struggled with reading a lot lately, taking the time to sit down and focus on something without diverting my attention away. Despite that, I loved every moment of it.
This difficulty was attributed to nearly every character is a reference to either a literary figure, philosopher, theologian, or else an allusion. While I was reading I would frequently take a pause to do a quick dive on Wikipedia on different topics and persons. This research, in my opinion, directly contributed to my enjoyment of the book. This book helped me rediscover my love of reading.
In between scenes of logic and rational murder mystery explanation, there were theological debates that I did not expect myself to enjoy, topics like, "Did Jesus laugh and is laughter a sin?" or "Should priests and the church be allowed to be wealthy?"
And it is in these seemingly one-off conversations that weave their way in and out of the plot that the destination of the journey arrives - the central mystery is solved and then framed by these theological discussions.
I loved this book, and just like Pentiment was my GOTY 2023, this will likely go down as my BOTY 2024. In closing, I'll echo the words of Claus Drucker, the printing press owner from Pentiment: "Love is the only reason to do anything in this life."
I wanted to read this book because Pentiment was my 2023 game of the year, and this was cited by Josh Sawyer as a direct inspiration on multiple fronts: themes, the central plot of a murder mystery in an abbey, the structure of days broken into liturgical hours, the semiotic expression of works that inspire other works each building on top of each other.
This was a difficult book to read. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult fiction books that I have ever read. I have struggled with reading a lot lately, taking the time to sit down and focus on something without diverting my attention away. Despite that, I loved every moment of it.
This difficulty was attributed to nearly every character is a reference to either a literary figure, philosopher, theologian, or else an allusion. While I was reading I would frequently take a pause to do a quick dive on Wikipedia on different topics and persons. This research, in my opinion, directly contributed to my enjoyment of the book. This book helped me rediscover my love of reading.
In between scenes of logic and rational murder mystery explanation, there were theological debates that I did not expect myself to enjoy, topics like, "Did Jesus laugh and is laughter a sin?" or "Should priests and the church be allowed to be wealthy?"
And it is in these seemingly one-off conversations that weave their way in and out of the plot that the destination of the journey arrives - the central mystery is solved and then framed by these theological discussions.
I loved this book, and just like Pentiment was my GOTY 2023, this will likely go down as my BOTY 2024. In closing, I'll echo the words of Claus Drucker, the printing press owner from Pentiment: "Love is the only reason to do anything in this life."
grack21's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like this would be a 5 star book if I was smarter.
penguin_emperor_of_the_north's review against another edition
5.0
August 7, 2016
It's possible that I'm not smart enough to enjoy this story properly. Eco wove in enough historical and literary references that I did get that I'm reasonably certain there's plenty more that I didn't get.
But that's okay. I enjoyed it in spite of my . . . dimness.
Half the fun from this book is the back and forth between William and everyone else. Both relating to his investigation and the philosophical/theological debates. And how all the monks try to draw William into the latter to avoid the former.
And there are some darkly funny moments. Like William's constant exasperation with Adso. Or the cellarer's trial. Or Salvatore's arrest. But that one gets unfunny fast.
But that ending. Gah, it's just so frustrating. Major spoilers: Way to punch me in the gut there, Eco.
Also, learned that Umberto Eco died February 19 of this year. There go my plans of flying to Milan and ambushing him to talk about this book. RIP
May 25, 2014
Wow. That was cool.
The Name of the Rose is a murder mystery set in a medieval Italian monastery against the backdrop of tensions between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Avignon papacy. Besides the murder investigation that drives most of the plot, there is plenty of discussion of philosophy and theology.
This novel's central mystery is engrossing, the philosophy and theology discussions are fascinating (though if you're not interested in those topics you'll likely be bewildered for pages at a time) and our heroes, William and Adso, are relatable to a reader and provide a window into medieval politics in Italy, the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.
I should note that there's a lot of untranslated Latin and German, I don't think it detracts to much from the story but it did leave me wondering what the characters were talking about at times. Also, some scenes just happen without a lot of build up (or any at all in one case) leaving me confused as to why it just happened. Eco does a good job of pulling everything together but some scenes left me confused for a while due to their abruptness.
It's possible that I'm not smart enough to enjoy this story properly. Eco wove in enough historical and literary references that I did get that I'm reasonably certain there's plenty more that I didn't get.
But that's okay. I enjoyed it in spite of my . . . dimness.
Half the fun from this book is the back and forth between William and everyone else. Both relating to his investigation and the philosophical/theological debates. And how all the monks try to draw William into the latter to avoid the former.
And there are some darkly funny moments. Like William's constant exasperation with Adso. Or the cellarer's trial.
Spoiler
He confesses to heresy but is adamant that he didn't kill anyone in the monastery. The inquisitor decides to torture him anyway. To avoid that the cellarer confesses to all of the murders and gives over the top and petty reasons.But that ending. Gah, it's just so frustrating. Major spoilers:
Spoiler
The monastery and library burns down. The bad guy succeeds in his plot and dies triumphant. The inquisitor walks away free and burns three people including that poor girl. And to top it off, William dies of the Plague twenty some years later.Also, learned that Umberto Eco died February 19 of this year. There go my plans of flying to Milan and ambushing him to talk about this book. RIP
May 25, 2014
Wow. That was cool.
The Name of the Rose is a murder mystery set in a medieval Italian monastery against the backdrop of tensions between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Avignon papacy. Besides the murder investigation that drives most of the plot, there is plenty of discussion of philosophy and theology.
This novel's central mystery is engrossing, the philosophy and theology discussions are fascinating (though if you're not interested in those topics you'll likely be bewildered for pages at a time) and our heroes, William and Adso, are relatable to a reader and provide a window into medieval politics in Italy, the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.
I should note that there's a lot of untranslated Latin and German, I don't think it detracts to much from the story but it did leave me wondering what the characters were talking about at times. Also, some scenes just happen without a lot of build up (or any at all in one case) leaving me confused as to why it just happened. Eco does a good job of pulling everything together but some scenes left me confused for a while due to their abruptness.
alex_mlynek's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
katie_perry_the_platypus's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5