Image from here.
I picked up this book , after reading an interview with Umberto Eco in my English textbook at school ( ha it seems like as if a centrury has passed since I finished my schooling) . The name appealed to me and since the book was based in medieval Italy , I was curious at the prospects of learning more about Christianity and medieval Europe .
Adso of Melk and his master Brother William of Baskerville visit an Italian abbey on ‘business’ . There they are informed about a murder(allegedly ) which took place before the arrival . The abbot , designates Brother William ( a former Inquisitor ) to solve the case . But by the time “the business” is done with , blood is shed (along with a few virtues) and the devil seems to have taken over the holy place .
The book displays the acumen , intellegence and shrewness of Brother William. Apart from the macabre , the book contains many a philosophical dilogue and argument.
It takes a while to get used to the style of writing . The first person narrative is complete with dreams and (something which people of the modern era seem to lack) euphaism. The book is well knit , the thread being the chapters which are divided according to liturgical hours .
The descriptions and movements are well articulated -Everything seems to come alive . But the Latin strewn in between ( without translation) is sort of irritating , but it sure does add to the medieval feel of the book .
I loved the book – the style and the presentation and well everything on the whole , makes it a “Vintage Future Classic”(as written on the book cover , at least on my copy ). If you have the time to apply your head and read , it is a good book to read . I managed to solve the “problem” to a certain extent(figured out who was behind the whole fiasco) . The book does draw a little bit of your emotion , especially the prosecution of the accused and the burning at the stake are described .
Rating- 7/10 . I might be underranking this , but then there are places where it does get boring .
Filed under: book reviews, books, thinking, thoughts and ideas | Tagged: random, personal, all, books, book reviews, me, book review, THE NAME OF THE ROSE BY UMBERTO ECO(BOOK REVIEW), Umberto Eco, The name of the rose
Sounds like an exotic book. My book list is already too long, but I shall remember this one.
And would you believe Vichu that I have not heard of this book?
have been caught up in so many things that it seems like ages since I read a book
now I do know about it so this also goes on the list of books waiting to be read
I LOVE the cover
lets see what the rank is acc to me
Okies.. will get back to you once again when i need more such reviews
Thanks for sharing this 
I ve nt read the book! But were you into CBSE? I don’t seem to remember reading a interview by this guy in mine:) And Oh, I am NOT CBSE:)
Seems a heavy one, but will keep the title in mind. Sounds like an interesting book.
First person narrative??? Hmmmm I usually don’t like that kind of narrative but u never know
The cover is beautiful and will look out for the title.
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Hmmm only the cover looks good
heyy i too read abt him in ma english buk in std 11 (hornbill)
so u already gt ths…well
lhmmm a 7 tat’s pretty gud..;)
@shivya: oh ya your book list forgot about it
@indyeah: oh , you will have a lot to think about in the book
@sakhi:
@arch: ya me was in CBSE
@nita:
@smita: This is not the Indian cover
@reema: lol
@pj: oh ya we had it in the flamingo
@ vish: hahaha thn may be i forgot…lol..we too had it in 12th in Flamingo