Crime Fiction Alphabet: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

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.

Monday: Musing/Whereabouts/Mailbox

When is it inappropriate to read in front of others? Is it ever appropriate?

When one invites people over and then reads, I think that is extremely rude. Otherwise I read pretty much everywhere unless I am baby-sitting or entertaining someone.

I read while travelling or waiting. Keeps me busy and also helps in closing the world out.

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I finished:

The Marshall and the Heiress by Patricia Potter (344)
The Courship by Catherine Coulter (331)
The Switch by Sandra Brown (Pages 550)
Life Support by Tess Gerritsen (Pages 369)

I plan to read:

Anything that holds my interest

I posted reviews of:

Six Seconds by Rick Mofina
Tintin and King Ottokar's Sceptre
White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner
The Last Bachelor by Betina Krahn
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas

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Monday Mailbox is hosted by Marcia

I didn't receive a single book this past week.

Sunday Salon: Mystery Readathon Update

Mystery Read-a-thon

I have read two books as of now. Both are medical related mysteries/thrillers.

The Switch by Sandra Brown (Pages 550)

Life Support by Tess Gerritsen (Pages 369)

I had wanted to read three books. However, I am satisfied with my reading and do not wish to read anymore toda.

Hope everyone is having fun.

Mystery Read-a-thon (16th-17th Jan 2010): Introduction post

Mystery Read-a-thon

1) Give us five fun-facts about you. (Things that are so trivial you wouldn't think of them right away, but that might make others smile.)

Five fun facts, let me think:

a) When at home, my socks mostly mis-match
b) I like to munch on sweet things. Salty stuff is not for me!
c) I have a secret name for my PC!
d) My paper work is all disorganized, yet I know where everything is kept!
e) I continually break my reading glasses needing to replace them almost every month.

2) What is on your TBR stack for the next two days?

Mystery/Suspense novels as yet unplanned. However, I am reading Life Support by Tess Gerritsen..121/369

3) Do you have any specific hopes and plans for this read-a-thon?

Yes, I plan to finish at least three mystery novels.

4) Did you participate in the Mystery Read-A-Thon in the past?

Yes, I did both and enjoyed those very much. Won a book too from Wendy of Caribousmom in the second one!

5) If you already participated, can you give the new participants any tips on what to do and what not to do?

Go for lighter mysteries. And if you don't like a particular book, move on to the next!

6) If this is your first Mystery Read-A-Thon, how do you plan to go ahead?

N/A

Mystery Read-a-thon (16th-17th Jan 2010)

Mystery-Read-a-Thon will take place this weekend, that is, on the 16th and 17th of January. The idea is to find 12 hours over those two days and dedicate them to reading mysteries.

I plan to read at least three mysteris during this period. My January reading has been a bit slack. Maybe this will help me get into the reading groove.

And what's stopping you? Do join in the fun!

Mystery-Read-a-Thon

Friday Find: The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki

The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki

Amazon.com Review

The four Makioka sisters lead very complicated, strenuous lives, although on the surface nothing much ever happens to them. Part of a fading Japanese aristocracy in the years leading up to World War II, they cannot escape the wide net of the family name--something always brings them back to the reality of "being a Makioka." Running out of money, living in falling-apart houses, growing older beneath the sunlight of the modern world, they do their best to preserve the rituals of the past. The two older sisters work diligently to arrange a marriage for the third sister, Yukiko. Desperate to find someone to take care of her, they keep lowering their standards. One night they find themselves out with a drunk, selfish crackpot who has no money, but who is supposed to be related to a man who works for an important utility company. The fact that he is even a candidate for their sister's hand is a sign of how far they have fallen.

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas

Title: Not Quite a Husband
Author: Sherry Thomas
ISBN: 9780553592436
Publisher: Bantam/2009
Pages: 352

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Book Blurb

Their marriage lasted only slightly longer than the honeymoon—to no one’s surprise, not even Bryony Asquith's. A man as talented, handsome, and sought after by society as Leo Marsden couldn't possibly want to spend his entire life with a woman who rebelled against propriety by becoming a doctor. Why, then, three years after their annulment and half a world away, does he track her down at her clinic in the remotest corner of India?

Leo has no reason to think Bryony could ever forgive him for the way he treated her, but he won't rest until he’s delivered an urgent message from her sister—and fulfilled his duty by escorting her safely back to England. But as they risk their lives for each other on the journey home, will the biggest danger be the treacherous war around them—or their rekindling passion?

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I read the pdf version of the book, and surprisingly I could make it at one go! Pairing a rebellious doctor with a mathematician works very well. Both are intelligent, head-strong and very much attracted to each other. It is Bryony who proposes marriage to Leo, and as he had always loved her since they were kids, he is thrilled to accept!
However, after they marry, Leo fills a shift in Bryony's attitude and one day she asks for an annulment and escapes to India, of all places. Having no option, he too goes out into the world, to explore and get away from his feelings.

When they meet, the passion is rekindled but the betrayal too very much evident in both their parts. They eget embroled in a fight in India, while getting back and discover that they still love each other as before. The question is, will it last this time?

That cover does put one off, what with steamy promises! But the setting is good along with the interaction between the two. I too liked the fact that the heroine is older than the hero. That itself makes it worth reading!

Booking Through Flappers

Do you read the inside flaps that describe a book before or while reading it?

When I pick up a book, I do read the inside flaps. Sometimes I get back to it while reading the book too. I like the introductions and book descriptions or book blurbs. Sometimes, it is intersting to find that the story is entirely different from what the flaps imply.

I also like to read author interviews, which are given in the end of some of the books. But I read that after I finish the story, not before.

The Last Bachelor by Betina Krahn

Title: The Last Bachelor
Author: Betina Krahn
ISBN: 0553565222Publisher: Bantam books/1994
Pages: 516

Lady Antonia Paxton, a beautiful young widow helped destitute young widows marry well. She planned and trapped London's richest young bachelors in compromising positions with her protegees and forced the bachelors to marry the concerned woman. Remington Carr, ninth Earl of Landon, had strong views on women's rights. If hel had his way, all women would have work for a living and marriage wouldn't neccessary. He was the most eligible London bachelor. Antonia's victim wanted him to help them by trapping the young widow from her shemes.

When both meet in the halls of Parliament, and a wager is made by Antonia. If Remington subjects himself to two weeks of "women's work," Antonia will do two weeks of "men's work." Remington has to take in the wager and dutifully turns up at Antonia's place and finds himself at the mercy of 12 doddering old widows, all taken in by Antonia at one point or the other. However, he sticks to the badger, despite being discomfited by the thought. Slowly he learns the problems faced by the women folks and also learns to love those strange old women.

Antonia and Reminton are attracted to each other but due to some misunderstanding Antonia pulls away. And then Remington challenges her too do her bit. THat is take the wager for doing two weeks of men's work. With quirky funny characters, and different settings, this book is a rollicking fun. A romance set in historical times and yet speaks about emancipation of women. A modern thinking powerful Earl can bring about that change. One reason, I liked this book.

Wondrous Words Wednesday

Wondrous Words Wednesday is hosted by Kathy of BermudaOnion

I found the following word in The Last Bachelor by Betina Krahn

1) Stultifying: "Stultifying," she countered, goaded to find the right word by his use of the wrong one. "They dull the palate and the senses."

Stultify

n.

1. The act of humiliating; degradation.
2. The state of being humiliated or disgraced; shame.
3. A humiliating condition or circumstance.