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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
I first read this book while finishing my undergraduate degree. It has only gained in the intervening years. For one, having taught myself Latin (a dubious boast to be sure), I can better make out some, some, of the Latin phrases. I am also, after graduate studies, better able to grasp the significance of the metaphysical and theological themes. Which only makes this failed mystery, let the reader understand, ever the more enjoyable. As Eco reveals in his “Postscript”, if you can make it past the first 100 pages, you have done your penance, you have passed the initiation, and the joys of the remainder of the story are yours for the taking.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Read if you liked:
Moby Dick (especially the descriptive, non-plot chapters)
Disco Elysium
Redwall
Sherlock Holmes
The Leftovers
Moby Dick (especially the descriptive, non-plot chapters)
Disco Elysium
Redwall
Sherlock Holmes
The Leftovers
My real rating is more like a 3.5 but since that’s not an option I’ll honor the rounding principle.
A fantastic book is so many ways. Beautifully written, rich in style and imagery. Yet at times drags on with dialogue that seems a bit anti-climatic. As if the author can’t quite decide himself what the point is.
There are immaculate moments of contention, where budding scientific ideas are at odds with ancient religious dogmas. Those slices of narrative I found to be most engaging. As well as the search in the labyrinth for “truth” and powerful knowledge. Engaging story arch.
Overall a worthwhile read and provides some nutrition for thought. I’m curious to go watch the Sean Connery movie now.
Can anyone comment if the other Umberto Eco books read in the same fashion?
A fantastic book is so many ways. Beautifully written, rich in style and imagery. Yet at times drags on with dialogue that seems a bit anti-climatic. As if the author can’t quite decide himself what the point is.
There are immaculate moments of contention, where budding scientific ideas are at odds with ancient religious dogmas. Those slices of narrative I found to be most engaging. As well as the search in the labyrinth for “truth” and powerful knowledge. Engaging story arch.
Overall a worthwhile read and provides some nutrition for thought. I’m curious to go watch the Sean Connery movie now.
Can anyone comment if the other Umberto Eco books read in the same fashion?
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The more I sit and think about this book the more and more angry I’m getting! The setting, time period, concept, and bookishness were so good. I was enchanted with the abbey and the gothic vibes and Willam as a Sherlockian character was interesting. The pedantic repetitious pages and pages of historical, political, and religious expositions were ridiculous and don’t even pay off in the end for the effort you expend wading through them. The ending felt rushed and the mystery of the missing book and it’s “protector” were just lame. I will never get the hours of my reading life back, that this slog of a read took from me.