Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding!!
Review: This was the first book of Eco's that I'd read, and I was totally engrossed with the story. The allegories convey ideas on many levels, and it's a book that allows readers to walk away with different levels of insight, depending on the individual reader's personal knowledge. Just as with "Ulysses" and "Moby Dick," what you gain from reading this book is proportionate to what you bring to the table. I see myself rereading this book ten years from now and, hopefully, understanding it on a higher level. Anyway, this is a must read, and don't let the Latin intimidate you.
Rating:
Summary: Rewarding experience,a wonderful read.
Review: My sister who just graduated from college convinced me to read The Name of the Rose. It was my first book by Eco, (she has read Island of the Day Before and Foucault's Pendulum). I enjoyed this book immensely. As the reader you become wrapped into the lives of the monks. I had to read this book in one night because it was so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. The only problem that I had with the book was the lack of translations for the Latin phrases. However that intrigued me if anything and I plan on finding out the translations for a better understanding. I next plan on reading Foucault's Pendulum as it was the only other Exo book that my library has. The Name of the Rose has become one of my favorite books. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a challenge.
Rating:
Summary: Difficult but worthwhile
Review: As the previous reviewer noted, this book desperately needs to be published with notes and annotations. Many of the references are obscure, and my two years of high school Latin have long since faded into nonexistence. The story can be read on many levels. However just trying to keep up with the mystery plot got confusing because of the foreign names and frequent diversions into learned topics. I had the feeling the whole time that much of it was going over my head. Still it is worth reading and is a challenge. At least you will not feel intellectually insulted.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, poor edition
Review: I loved this book when I first read it 6 years ago so much that it was one of the few things I took with me when I came to US. Reading NR is a many-fold experience, so many reviews are right about it. However I was deeply disappointed with the way Eco is published in English. You see, my Russian edition has about 70 pages of comments ranging from historical to theological ones. Who in this modern world remembers Dolcino or a difference between katars and minorites ?? It is nice when a reader is well versed in both Latin, medieval Deutch and some Italian but at least my Russian translator and editors went to great pains to help me, a reader, along the way. You can see so many comments (read those about "Pendulum", for example) that blame Eco for being a pompous intellectual while it is really the result of modern day education that does not prepare an average reader to deal with such a multi-layered work. Otherwise we would not have people asking about the meaning of last words in novel.Stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus. With the past name of rose, names are shed (naked) in future.
Rating:
Summary: Can some one explain to me the meaning of the title?
Review: Eventhough my English is not excellent and must try hard to read but I enjoyed it and will reread again to go deeper into more details. But what kept me awake all night is the meaning of the title. Can someone explain to me the meaning of it?
Rating:
Summary: I was mesmerized!
Review: After seeing the movie, "The Name of the Rose", I started reading the book with some apprehension since I already knew how it ended. Wow! Was I in for a surprise! The movie is barely an outline of the story in comparison to the book. The descriptions, the language and most of all the mysteries (because there are mysteries within the main mystery of the novel)kept me reading every spare second. I would recommend this novel to anyone. I am not the type of person who reads a book more than once, but I believe I would read this one again. Enjoy!!
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and engaging!
Review: Umbert Eco succeeds in bringing his characters to life in a way that draws the reader into their world - that of a 14th century Italian Monastary. The characters expound upon subjects of truth, logic, politics and power with timeless insight. William of Baskerville's speech on the relationship between ecclesiastical and secular authority is especially thoughtful. A sound education on the intellectual history of medieval Europe as well as an engrossing mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Very good mystery.
Review: What can I say? Everything has already been said. This book is just a master piece and should be read by everyone, and I mean everyone. I'm a Science Fiction fan, so it is plain difficult for a non sci-fi book to hold my attentions. But this book really hit the jack pot. The story is not only interesting, but quite informative. The atmosphere of mystery is dense enough for you to wonder what will happen next. I specially liked the revelations from the last chapter and how clever was the killer to obtain what he desired. Very clever book by one of today's masters. I'm looking forward to read Foucault's Pendulum, they say it is superb too. A great book with too much insight to be placed asides your Sherlock Holmes collection. Have a nice read!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELENTE LIBRO!
Review: Es difícil explicar realmente el porque este libro debe de clasificarse dentro de los grandes. Es posible que su grandiosidad esté reflejada en su simplicidad; es natural sorprenderse si hablo de simplicidad, pero es que es realmente lo que este libro es, un libro simple, una historia simple,detectivesca, pero al mismo tiempo bañada en un mar de erudición, como ejemplo nótese muy particularmente la discusión sobre la pobreza de cristo, es excepcional. Yo siempre he comprendido que los grandes libros y las grandes películas necesitan obligadamente una gran historia de por medio, y es eso lo que El Nombre de la Rosa tiene.
Rating: 
Summary: Complex, dazzling, masterful...
Review: "The Name of the Rose" is one of the most difficult novels I've ever read. By the same token, however, it is also one of the most rewarding. The character development is impressive and the character of William of Baskerville is flat-out extraordinary. The only fault I found in the novel is purely an opinionated one. I did not enjoy the long explanations of the various religious orders that Eco devised. Granted, they were not uncalled for, but rather they were tedious to the point where they took away from the novel. It is definitely worth the effort to get through this marvelous book, though.
|
