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iirreeaadd's review
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
3.5
This book is long and overwritten. I found myself skimming or simply skipping chunks of this book that were basically long lists of things that were not relevant to the plot of the book at all. Despite this, I found the core murder mystery plot of the book to be engrossing, as well as the reasons for it. I was able to finish the book fairly quickly and felt engaged throughout as I wanted to know what happens next. It's definitely a bit dense at points but overall I found it a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Classism, Sexism, Violence, Torture, Murder, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Islamophobia, Antisemitism, Colonisation, and Homophobia
directorpurry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Death, Sexism, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Violence
Minor: Torture
bookish_bry's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First of all, despite my 5 star rating, this book really isn't for everyone. I myself have a degree in anthropology and enjoy reading rather dense books. It hit a perfect sweet spot for me as a reader, but if you are not one for philosophy, it likely is not a book for you.
This was honestly such a strange books at times and was often hilarious. Eco basically dropped a rather liberal stereotypical Sherlock Holms rip off into an abbey in 1327. The absurdity of the detective novel formula mixed with the setting and content often had me smiling in bemusement. (Which did fit well with one of it's major themes of humor.) If done poorly, the character of William existing in 1327 as a monk could have taken me out of the plot, but it was done very well here.
The mystery was well laid out and I managed to sus out some, but not all of the ending twist, which is the most enjoyable state to be in while reading a mystery novel for me. The events were well foreshadowed, but not in my face.
I really enjoyed the theme of signs throughout the book and I could probably write a research paper on the topic if I was still a student needing a topic for an English class.
"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." I will be thinking about the topics brought up in this book for a while.
This was honestly such a strange books at times and was often hilarious. Eco basically dropped a rather liberal stereotypical Sherlock Holms rip off into an abbey in 1327. The absurdity of the detective novel formula mixed with the setting and content often had me smiling in bemusement. (Which did fit well with one of it's major themes of humor.) If done poorly, the character of William existing in 1327 as a monk could have taken me out of the plot, but it was done very well here.
The mystery was well laid out and I managed to sus out some, but not all of the ending twist, which is the most enjoyable state to be in while reading a mystery novel for me. The events were well foreshadowed, but not in my face.
I really enjoyed the theme of signs throughout the book and I could probably write a research paper on the topic if I was still a student needing a topic for an English class.
"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." I will be thinking about the topics brought up in this book for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, Antisemitism, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Cannibalism and Sexual content
There is sexual coercion mentioned.nakednames's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this time im really gonna do it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Torture, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Antisemitism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, and Vomit
It's all handled very well, and none of it comes across as bigotry from the author. Most of the content warnings are inherent to the time period/ institution, and are there for the purpose of critique by the author.seanml's review
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very well-written story, centered on a mysterious death at a Catholic abbey in the 1320s, and the two monks that set to uncover the truth. Despite its length, I thought this book was very well written (Or perhaps, translated since it was originally published in Italian) and goes by quickly. However, if one half of this book is mystery, the other half (And I’m not exaggerating: 50% of the narrative at least) is all theological discussion in the setting of medieval Italy. If that doesn’t sound very interesting to you, brace yourself. And even if that does sound interesting, brace yourself even further because with medieval Abrahamic religion comes intense, indoctrinated misogyny. Is it culturally and historically, accurate? Perhaps. Does the author actually believe in the evil of women? Luckily, no. Nevertheless you’ll encounter multiple sections where monks preach the evils of womanhood, all while the abbey is beset by lies and murder. But as our main characters trudge on, they must ask: Where is the goodness of their God? Where is the justice in His cosmic plan? The answer becomes less and less confident. Equal parts mystery, equal parts Catholic history, equal parts theological skepticism, I thought this was a captivating story. 8/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Homophobia, Murder, Death, Outing, Religious bigotry, and Suicide
Minor: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Violence, Sexual content, Animal death, Antisemitism, Dementia, Incest, Confinement, Islamophobia, Rape, Vomit, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
benasbooks's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Antisemitism, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Confinement, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Torture
crufts's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, what a book.
The Name of the Rose is a murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in the year 1327. As in the style of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, where the narrator is the detective's assistant, so it is here.
The main character is Brother Adso, a young German monk visiting Italy, who acts as an assistant to Brother William of Baskerville, an English monk who has been called to the monastery for his Inquisitorial skills. The protagonists soon learn that one of the monastery's monks (Adelmo) has died in mysterious circumstances, and so the investigation begins.
So as not to spoil the plot, I'll refrain from going into an excited rant about the clever puzzles the narrative poses to the main characters. Instead, I'll comment that I was delighted to see the way these medieval characters applied medieval modes of forensic and logical investigation to the mystery. There were fun and fascinating chase scenes in spooky hidden passages, and a library which edges into sci-fi with its clever design.
The story's characterization was another one of its gems. Adso's innocence and eagerness to help is charming, and William's sly humour brought light and levity to this detective novel. Lest you be concerned that the novel might put you off by being too religious, rest assured that many characters' religious views are the target of debate and incredulity, and even form the butt of jokes. For example, there's a hilarious moment when Adso is disappointed to learn that unicorns aren't real. At another point, a long passage of argument between monks about what the poverty of Christ should mean suddenly picks up and turns into a brawl with amusing and creative insults thrown around.
The Storygraph website has asked me to note whether the characters are diverse. While they're not diverse in the way I assume the site means (because they're nearly all white cis men), they are diverse in the context of the setting: the monks are from a dozen different countries with a spectrum of different languages and cultural backgrounds, and this turns up in the plot.
Overall, if you enjoy mystery and detective novels, The Name of the Rose will be right up your alley.
I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook (which I did), as the historical storytelling parts are a lot more fun when you get to hear Brother William raising his voice and using different intonations.
The Name of the Rose is a murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in the year 1327. As in the style of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, where the narrator is the detective's assistant, so it is here.
The main character is Brother Adso, a young German monk visiting Italy, who acts as an assistant to Brother William of Baskerville, an English monk who has been called to the monastery for his Inquisitorial skills. The protagonists soon learn that one of the monastery's monks (Adelmo) has died in mysterious circumstances, and so the investigation begins.
So as not to spoil the plot, I'll refrain from going into an excited rant about the clever puzzles the narrative poses to the main characters. Instead, I'll comment that I was delighted to see the way these medieval characters applied medieval modes of forensic and logical investigation to the mystery. There were fun and fascinating chase scenes in spooky hidden passages, and a library which edges into sci-fi with its clever design.
The story's characterization was another one of its gems. Adso's innocence and eagerness to help is charming, and William's sly humour brought light and levity to this detective novel. Lest you be concerned that the novel might put you off by being too religious, rest assured that many characters' religious views are the target of debate and incredulity, and even form the butt of jokes. For example, there's a hilarious moment when Adso is disappointed to learn that unicorns aren't real. At another point, a long passage of argument between monks about what the poverty of Christ should mean suddenly picks up and turns into a brawl with amusing and creative insults thrown around.
The Storygraph website has asked me to note whether the characters are diverse. While they're not diverse in the way I assume the site means (because they're nearly all white cis men), they are diverse in the context of the setting: the monks are from a dozen different countries with a spectrum of different languages and cultural backgrounds, and this turns up in the plot.
Overall, if you enjoy mystery and detective novels, The Name of the Rose will be right up your alley.
I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook (which I did), as the historical storytelling parts are a lot more fun when you get to hear Brother William raising his voice and using different intonations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Homophobia
Minor: Antisemitism and Sexual content
Period-typical homophobia, also condoned by the protagonists, as "sinful" and "unnatural". However, no direct harassment or confrontation is made towards the gay characters.Period-typical sexism is woven into the fabric of the society and even condoned by the main characters. "Women are the vessel of the devil", etc.
A sex scene is written in highly chaste and poetic language, which is actually made of stitched-together religious quotes - imagine a monk describing a spiritual and transcendent experience.
Antisemitic remarks are made briefly by some characters.
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