jmatthiass's review against another edition
2.0
Eco is obviously an intelligent scholar with an extremely deep, almost esoteric, knowledge of religious history and well-reasoned theories about semiology. It's a shame, though, that no one thought to tell him that you can't just cram esoteric history and semiology into a detective novel and call it a day. Boring, passé, and self-satisfied. Meh.
bronsai's review against another edition
4.0
"Books are not made to be believed, but to be subjected to inquiry. When we consider a book, we mustn't ask ourselves what it says but what it means, a precept that the commentators of the holy books had very clearly in mind." Pg 307
tomhill's review against another edition
4.0
Eco devotes as much (if not more) time to exploring 14th century theological debates and the history of various religious orders as he does to the mystery. The attention to detail and history results in a very atmospheric, if slow-moving narrative. To call this book leisurely paced would be an understatement. The mystery is engaging, but is often interrupted by ruminations on medieval and early church history. I tend to shy away from translated works, often times the writing feels awkward and clunky to me, but that was not the case here. The prose translates really well, although like I said, it can be extremely dense at times. The best passages are Adso's dreams/visions, which are truly creepy and vividly described. Ultimately, it's not an easy book for me to review without becoming as long-winded and meandering as the book itself sometimes is. It's well-written and well-constructed and really intriguing at times, but if you are attempting to read this book it will definitely be easier if you have at least a passing interest in the history of the Catholic church or the lives of monks in a 14th-century abbey, as this is the world that Eco so vividly creates.
andrea_perez28's review against another edition
3.0
Debo decir que lo disfrute, me encantó la parte del misterio, del razonamiento, de como iban descubriendo pistas poco a poco, hubo partes que no podía parar de leer, necesitaba saber lo que iba a pasar. Pero con todas las cuestiones teológicas se me hizo muy tedioso y solo leía por leer, no tenían relevancia en la historia, pero entiendo la intención del autor de no centrar todo en los crímenes y darle un enfoque más religioso pero muchísimas cosas ni las entendí ni me importaban, si hubiera sido solo el misterio y la cuestión policiaca hubiera sido un libro de 4 o 4.5 estrellas, pero sé que la intención de este libro no es ser solo novela negra, sino también ser como un análisis teológico pero no es my cup of tea.
catsandteabooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
salmad75's review against another edition
4.0
Testo bellissimo, spesso avvincente ed in grado di trasportarti indietro nel tempo.
heritage's review
4.0
A monk is asked to solve a series of murders in a remote 14th-century abbey amid a backdrop of high-level meetings between two opposing factions within the Catholic church.
This is my second time reading this novel. My first reading was well over 10 years ago, but that was before I discovered my recent interest in the Middle Ages. In addition to that, I also read a book earlier this summer specifically about monasteries and monastic living. With all of that under my belt, I decided to reread this book to see if I would still be impressed with it.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the mystery of the murders and of the library were much less intriguing the second time round. I think that's because there is little else to the novel other than that and the debates between the two opposing factions. A great novel, at its heart, still needs well-developed characters and an engaging narrative. This novel lacks both. The narrative is detailed and very quotable, but it is not particularly beautiful; and there are even times when future disasters get telegraphed to the reader in an overt attempt to build suspense. As well, the main characters are distant and unrelatable, merely there to go through the motions. I didn't really care for or empathize with either of them. This is by far the biggest weakness I noticed on rereading it, and I suspect Umberto Eco was a better essayist than he was a novelist.
However, having said that, I do remember being completely absorbed with the plot and with the labyrinth in the library when I first read it. And, after doing all my reading on the Middle Ages, I'm even more impressed with Eco's ability to recreate the time and the place so well--not just the physical atmosphere, but the attitudes as well--and to communicate it so effectively.
It's a novel, primarily, about the control of information. It touches on matters of greed, nationalism, humility, faith, class, and power as well. However, Eco's primary purpose seems to be about censorship regarding some of the more controversial ideas held in certain books in the library. It's an interesting discussion, but I can't help but wonder if Eco would still have the same views if he had written this novel in the post-truth world we are now living in.
Despite certain reservations, I still recommend it. It is a bit self-indulgent at times when he is showing off his knowledge, particularly about obscure writers and monastic orders, but there is definitely intrigue in the dual mysteries of the library and the murders, as well as the wonderful atmosphere and history.
This is my second time reading this novel. My first reading was well over 10 years ago, but that was before I discovered my recent interest in the Middle Ages. In addition to that, I also read a book earlier this summer specifically about monasteries and monastic living. With all of that under my belt, I decided to reread this book to see if I would still be impressed with it.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the mystery of the murders and of the library were much less intriguing the second time round. I think that's because there is little else to the novel other than that and the debates between the two opposing factions. A great novel, at its heart, still needs well-developed characters and an engaging narrative. This novel lacks both. The narrative is detailed and very quotable, but it is not particularly beautiful; and there are even times when future disasters get telegraphed to the reader in an overt attempt to build suspense. As well, the main characters are distant and unrelatable, merely there to go through the motions. I didn't really care for or empathize with either of them. This is by far the biggest weakness I noticed on rereading it, and I suspect Umberto Eco was a better essayist than he was a novelist.
However, having said that, I do remember being completely absorbed with the plot and with the labyrinth in the library when I first read it. And, after doing all my reading on the Middle Ages, I'm even more impressed with Eco's ability to recreate the time and the place so well--not just the physical atmosphere, but the attitudes as well--and to communicate it so effectively.
It's a novel, primarily, about the control of information. It touches on matters of greed, nationalism, humility, faith, class, and power as well. However, Eco's primary purpose seems to be about censorship regarding some of the more controversial ideas held in certain books in the library. It's an interesting discussion, but I can't help but wonder if Eco would still have the same views if he had written this novel in the post-truth world we are now living in.
Despite certain reservations, I still recommend it. It is a bit self-indulgent at times when he is showing off his knowledge, particularly about obscure writers and monastic orders, but there is definitely intrigue in the dual mysteries of the library and the murders, as well as the wonderful atmosphere and history.
mymumwouldbeproud_'s review against another edition
4.0
“The only thing that must be pondered - and I realize this at the end of my life - is death. Mors est quies viatoris - finis est omnis laboris.”
4.5
4.5
cesar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
O livro tem um mistério que te deixa com vontade de desvendar, os enigmas são muito bem desenvolvidos e a história do mosteiro agrega muito ao livro.
Mas o livro tem trechos de religião e filosofia muito extensos que fazem o livro perder um pouco o ritmo. Mesmo assim um belo livro.
Mas o livro tem trechos de religião e filosofia muito extensos que fazem o livro perder um pouco o ritmo. Mesmo assim um belo livro.
agathawatson1994's review
5.0
A very interesting and accurated story sostained by a rich and detailed historical setting.
The plot takes the reader in a dark italian middle age, in a period of radical religous changings
that are abaout to revolutionaze society and culture.
The story takes place in an isolated benedectinian monastery during the year 1327 and it follows the steps of Guglielmo of Baskerville (a tribute to the great Sherlock Holmes, wich dedictivs methods Guglielmo uses during the story)and his novice Adso of Melk during the resolution of an intricated and brutal mistery.
I had the occasion to read it in italian, the origianl language, do it if you can because it is even better!
The plot takes the reader in a dark italian middle age, in a period of radical religous changings
that are abaout to revolutionaze society and culture.
The story takes place in an isolated benedectinian monastery during the year 1327 and it follows the steps of Guglielmo of Baskerville (a tribute to the great Sherlock Holmes, wich dedictivs methods Guglielmo uses during the story)and his novice Adso of Melk during the resolution of an intricated and brutal mistery.
I had the occasion to read it in italian, the origianl language, do it if you can because it is even better!