The Name of the Rose

Rating:
Summary: worth a read
Review: I often use these customer reviews to get an idea if a book might be worth reading but...... having read this book and then having read some of the poor reviews it receives below, I have come to the conclusion that no book will please everyone. But,,, if you don't find yourself reaching for a dictionary once a page when you read a "grown-up" novel, then you may enjoy this one as much as I. Over the years I have had people tell me they hated Moby Dick, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Sot-Weed Factor and even The Yearling so why should I be surprised when people can't enjoy Eco's classic work? I'm not.

Rating:
Summary: Must read!
Review: Must read!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Seeking William of Ockham
Review: I just finished Iain Pears' "An Instance of the Fingerpost", which is set in the Oxford of early Restoration England, my favorite historical era. Ironically, it sent me scrambling to learn more about William of Ockham, the Franciscan at Oxford whose 14th-century critique of Aquinas' universals so irritated the Pope at Avignon. "The Name of the Rose" is set in Ockham's lifetime (~1285 to ~1350) and features an English-born and observant Franciscan who is also well versed in logic, so it looks to be a good next read. I found the film to be entertaining (oh, that Sean Connery!) but thin. However, these reviews lead me to believe that I will find the book quite absorbing. Thanks for the reviews!

Rating:
Summary: It's the best!
Review: This book is the best. I have never read anything so good in my life. In fact, I think this is the best book I have ever read, even after reading it for the 15th time. It's not generic at all. It's very specific and insightful. It's really interesting too. If I could write a better review, I would, but I can't. So instead, I am going to comment on the other reviews written here. They are all wrong! I am going to make fun of them -- they are dumb (oh, how witty) This book is really, really, good.

Rating:
Summary: amazement
Review: This book amazes me. It amazed me when I first read it, it amazes me ten years later. What also amazes me is that someone could use "The Alienist" as any thing other than the most base comparison to this book (although I'm sure Caleb Carr would be flattered)! This book is to "The Alienist" as the Pope is to a tax collector (to stay in the "rose" frame of reference, sort of).

Rating:
Summary: better than anything
Review: I think I couldn't call this a review. Better an opinion of a sincere reader. I read this book last night. I couldn't go to sleep before I come to the eend, and when I did, I wanted more. I was sorry I didn't read it before, and I was sorry I didn't know it was so good, so I can leave it for later, I don't know when, just later. I was thinking about all the books I ever read, and I realised that here they were, all in one great book. I wanted to be there, I wanted to be the writer of this book, but, with this english, I could be only the lousy reader, with a lousy comment on one great book. So that's it.

Rating:
Summary: This is not a review but...
Review: It's sad to see how people can be so destructive. Instead of wasting energy in putting others down, the individual below (who surprisingly wishes to remain anonymous) could have written a review of true substance.

Rating:
Summary: this is not a review but
Review: if you give this book five stars and then proceed to employ cliched literary jargon to sing its virtues you have missed one of the major themes of Eco's works which is the complete deconstruction of "grand truths" and the re-examination of their application to facts, real or imagined

tell us why YOU liked it not your pseudo-semiotician college professor

also if you compare this book to the alienist i truly feel sorry for your reading future

Rating:
Summary: It will blow your mind
Review: Eco leads you on a fascinating journey through the middle ages, where the pope has lost power and books have gained it. Or has it? Eco totally blows your mind with this twisting tale that takes another turn everytime you think you've figured it out. You just can't win, but you can by reading this.

Rating:
Summary: If you liked the Alienist - You will love The Name of the Ro
Review: I hate to compare a book's worth to that of others, but in this case the comparison serves it justice: The Name of the Rose is to 13th century monastic Italian life as the Alienist is to Puritan, New York turn of the 19th century life. Eco braids an intricate plot using strands of historical context, philosophical cleavages, sectarian politics, and personal struggles. Some details are more relevant than others depending on what you read for, but they are all neccesary in exposing the whole story. An erudite storyteller who produced the Godiva chocolates of historical fiction.