"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us." Franz Kafka
For any author who would like his/her book to be reviewed, contact me. Poetry books too are solicited for reviewing. However, there are some genres I tend to avoid. Feel free to ask me.
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
I must mention here that I read at my own pace and depending on my mood. Don't ask me to hurry.
Title: The Name of the Rose
Author: Umberto Eco
ISBN: 0749397055
Publisher: Vintage/1998
Pages: 502
The Name of the Rose is the first novel by Umberto Eco. It is narrated in first person by a character named Adso of Melk, who has been taken from history. But this is a work of fiction which makes use of historical facts to a large extent.
It is based in an abbey run by Benedictines consisting of gardeners, cellarists, herbalists and young novices. A learned Franciscan, Brother William along with his disciple, Adso of Melk, is sent to investigate a unnatural death in the Abbey. While he is there trying to solve the mystery, we see more murders being commited and William is wholly embroiled in it all. He has great acumen and solves the mystery of the deaths. He has to decipher meanings from words, symbols, ideas, codes, signs etc.
This novel is based in and around a library which is more of labyrinth than anything else. It contains rare books and is jealously guarded by the librarian and the Abbot. Certain rooms are closed to the monks too. One can't enter those parts. Permission is not forthcoming either. It is not given to brother William who has come to imvestigate the murder. However, that does not stop him and Adso to find ways and means to enter it. Most intersting was how they finally find the ways to do it.
Now the question why are all those murders being committed? Which book/s is/are being so jealously guarded and by whom? Why is it so important to keep it away from prying eyes? What is the Abbot scared of? How does one define sin? Why shouldn't the secret vices of the monks be revealed? What is definition of lust? And many more question...
Solving the mystery is only part of it. Learning about history, philosophy and sciences along with arts of those times is but a bonus. It is also a political statement of those times. Very intriguing and filled with wisdom. A great book for all those who do serious reading.
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Labels: Crime Fiction Alphabet
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8 comments:
Do you know Gautami, this is one of those books that I keep meaning to read and still haven't! Thanks for contributing it to the Crime Fiction Alphabet.
I have sen the film with Sean Connery but never read the book.
Thanks for the review it is an encouragement to get round to reading it especially as I am interested in the Medieval period.
I loved this one! I should re-read it sometime.
I loved this story. I really want to read this again, it's been many years and I lent my copy to a friend who never gave it back. Thanks for the reminder. Glad you enjoyed it. I think Eco is brilliant.
Great review. I remember watching the movie years ago.
This is a book I've wanted to read for a long time ... thanks to your review, maybe I'll move it closer to the top of my reading list!
I borrowed Foucault's Pendulum to read once and never could get started. This one sounds more my style. Thanks for the review.
I had to read this book a couple of times to understand it fully. Still worth the effort though, I loved it :)
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