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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
It’s a relief that one could become a best seller against all odds, and that a genuine piece of literature could surpass cheap trash…high quality and success do not exclude each other. (Cit. Antony Burgess)
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fantastic work of art. This book will thoroughly immerse the reader into the life of medieval monastics. The story takes place over five days and the happenings of each day is illustrated in great detail, covering conversations among the monks, from mundane discussions on theology and philosophy to the heresies, inquisitions, secular and ecclesiastical power dynamics that characterised the fourteenth century European milieu. Umberto Eco makes good use of his knowledge of semiotics, in leading the readers to uncover the mystery of the murder case, hidden beneath signs and symbols, adding to the suspense and mystique of the abbey library - the aedificium, a massive labyrinth where large collections of books are contained.
What a great read, thoroughly enjoyed this one, I was hesitant because I started it years ago and couldn't get into it but finally decided to give it a good go, and was very well rewarded.
A fun, enjoyable and very smart plot. You do need to pay attention, there is a lot of detail and chatter. Somewhat dense in parts with the explanations of William, certainly enjoys the sound of his voice. That was the only negative for me lots of meandering with William giving his explanations.
The book has a film version too and having just watched the trailer, it looks so bad it could be good. I may give that a miss.
This is my first book I have read by Umberto Eco, I do have two others of his Baudolino and Foucaults Pendulum. I might bump Foucaults Pendulum up the to read list after finishing this one.
4.5/5 rounded up.
A fun, enjoyable and very smart plot. You do need to pay attention, there is a lot of detail and chatter. Somewhat dense in parts with the explanations of William, certainly enjoys the sound of his voice. That was the only negative for me lots of meandering with William giving his explanations.
The book has a film version too and having just watched the trailer, it looks so bad it could be good. I may give that a miss.
This is my first book I have read by Umberto Eco, I do have two others of his Baudolino and Foucaults Pendulum. I might bump Foucaults Pendulum up the to read list after finishing this one.
4.5/5 rounded up.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
leggere questo libro mentre guardavo nello stesso periodo boris mi ha fatto in testa una sceneggiatura da fiction italianisssiiimaaa. da raccomandare.
comunque il finale mi é piaciuto tantissimo, davvero un libro da capolavoro.
Extravagant, inventive, and yet still a traditional locked room mystery. Or at least one room is locked, within a labyrinth, which is also a library. The setting itself is a stroke of genius, and Eco is able to people it with distinctive characters, some of whom harbor dark motives beneath their black habits. It's long. It's verbose. Eco loved languages and lists and symbols, and while I would never say he lacks discipline in his writing, he has a passion for detail that goes beyond anything reproducible in cinema -- which is easily seen by watching one of the film productions. I read it twenty years ago with different eyes, and I think it's still one of the most distinctive mysteries I've ever read.
i will never ever be smart enough to truly understand this book but it’s a great read. severinus and nicholas are real ones