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Summary: "Name of the Rose" is a modern masterpiece
Review: I just finished this book yesterday, at the cost of flunking an English quiz today (we were supposed to be reading "A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man", but I wanted to finish the Eco first). I must say, it was certainly worth it. Eco is a masterful writer and teacher who can make any topic of discussion compelling. Though lacking in the sheer, hard-core intellectual scope of his next book, "Foucault's Pendulum", NAME OF THE ROSE is superior in both plot and characterization. Eco's skill is of a high enough magnitude that the mystery actually becomes secondary to the fascinating description of 14th-century intellectual life. This book is a triumph in every sense of the word.
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Summary: An engrossing narrative to be savoured
Review: In this brilliant book, not only does Eco present a startling and provoking philosophical history of mankind, but also a charming and pointed political allegory. Written at the height of U.S panic and the apex of propagandic rhetoric in the Cold War of words, Eco presents not only a telling political commentary on conditions in ( then ) contemporary Europe; but also a tightly written, brilliantly paced narrative, so rich and complex it is a joy to immerse yourself in. Not only the best book I have read, but my favourite as well. Keep that Latin Dictionary by your side, however...
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Summary: "A spoonfull of sugar..."
Review: History is dull, that's a given. Yet when it's presented in such a lively and entertaining manner as this, you simply sit back and enjoy the ride. It's so much fun to learn, when it's presented as a game. It's a great mystery in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, but it contains so much more than a simple mystery. It also is a philosophical discourse, and it contains scads of historic information. This book has everything, buy it, read it, love it. Only problem I had with it, is the ending. Like alot of mysteries, it's usually somewhat of a letdown; it seemed almost tacked on as an afterthought. So, enjoy the journey to the end, because that's the important part anyways.
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Summary: The best book i ever read!!!
Review: That was a suprise. Before i read it i fink that this book will be a normal. After i was charmes whith it.
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Summary: Only Umberto Eco could write something like this!
Review: This fascinating book is something only a genius as Umberto Eco can write. In this book, he managed to describe monk's life in the monastery, a complete psycological review of all the characters and all the clerical environment which includes the struggle between the different parts, the struggle between the pope and the monarchy and the Inquisition. I read the book several times, each time with emphasys in one of these aspects. First time as a mistery novel, second time as a middle ages essay, third time as a essay about religion and its paradigms, fourth time as a phylosophical discussion about "laughing" (special attention to the final chapters) and many other times as a unique masterpiece. No one can pass without it.
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Summary: A true masterpiece
Review: Eco's work is truly an impressive piece of art. The Name of the Rose touches on universal themes such as the power (actual and presumed) of knowledge and arcana; the dichotomy of greed and power in the guise of religiosity versus true sincerity and piety; suppressed sexuality and its deviant outbursts; the thin fine line between the religious centre, sound doctrine and heresy; etc all packed into the setting of a medieval monastery murder mystery. William of Baskerville is an archetype of Man, well-balanced with faith and reason, quite the renaissance man in his time, yet struggling occasionally with the memory of his past as an Inquisitor. Adso of Melk, in his narration of the singlemost significant event of his life, retells it with a myriad of feelings: passion, regret, awe and disappointment. Truly human characters! How Eco has managed to tie up all seemingly loose ends of plot and theme with the various devices eg. the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, is truly representative of his gift. My first reading of the book was in 1990 as a freshman in university, and I have read it twice in the intervening years, each time a journey into history and Man's contradictory psyche.
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Summary: La mejor novela culta que he leido!
Review: Eco es un maravilloso narrador de historias, crea y recrea con exquisito detalle toda una epoca con el conocimiento de un erudito historiador; y dentro de ella una apasionante y compleja historia donde se juega la busqueda de la verdad sobre el oscurantismo de la edad media encarnado por monjes que creen poder decidir que deben saber los demas.
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Summary: A magnificent first. Eco can really tell a story.
Review: Eco's first attempt at a work of fiction is as rich and complex as one would expect from an experienced novelist. Not only does Eco tell a fascinating mystery, he also tells it with the accuracy and realism of a historical work. The subtle agenda of present-day philosophy creeps into the book as well. No where else have I seen a fusing together of Pre-Modern, Modern, and Post-Modern views and ideals.
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Summary: A Great Book Inspired by an Actual Abbey
Review: I absolutely loved reading this book for its thoughtfulness and for the way in which it brought medieval thought to life. I was even more enthralled by the book after the fact. Approximately 12 months after reading the book, I went to Austria for vacation and to my surprise found that the abbey actually exists. The abbey is called Stift Melk and is located on a mountain in Austria. There are tours of the abbey offered and the library, while not as impressive as the description in the book, is quite impressive. I found myself lost in a world, not exactly medieval, but certainly condusive to imagination
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Summary: The most engrossing book I ever have read
Review: Truly extraordinary. This book is a superb depiction of the philosophy, Church history, and monastic abuses of the 14th century. (Read carefully - or you may miss some of the richest humour of any century.) I've never seen better
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