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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.emmonsannae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’m going to miss being able to lose myself in this book! At once a thrilling example and a brilliant subversion of the mystery novel, this story is just as much of a labyrinth as the library at its center. And it is magnificently researched! The medieval world is so painstakingly constructed that we are able to live in the abbey with the characters. (Because it is so unflinching in depicting the past using the same wording as its sources, there is some brutal content especially relating to women and treatment of heretics—see warnings.) I loved finishing the novel and being able to read U.E.’s notes on his method and literary theory—that took this book from a 4.5 to a 5 for me. The ending isn’t anything like I expected, which disappointed me at first (even though that is very clearly the point). I do think it would be a disservice to the story and to what we’ll call “natural law” for it to have ended any other way. I wish I could start it again from the beginning blind!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Misogyny
Moderate: Body horror, Classism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Gore, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, and Torture
nozomi's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Homophobia, Rape, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Torture and Death
Minor: Suicide
catapocalypse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
My feelings are very mixed about the book. As someone who enjoys a thick tome now and then, unfortunately I felt this one needed condensing. Some things were repetitive, including the few times things like the argument about poverty, the history of certain heretical groups (particularly those related to Fra Dolcino's movement), the argument about laughter, etc. came up. There were extended passages such as the dream/vision scenes that felt as if they were drawn out purely to flex Eco's knowledge of history, theology, and semiotics.
The mystery plot disappointed me on the whole. At the beginning, the narrator's mentor, William, performed a Sherlock Holmes-level deduction about an escaped horse. It set my hopes high, but William didn't operate at that level again in the nearly 600 pages that followed.
That said, I didn't hate the book, either. I appreciated the history and there were some compelling passages about books and knowledge I actually loved. I don't regret reading it, but I don't see myself picking it up again. I'd be willing to try more from Eco, but I'm going to need some time, first.
The mystery plot disappointed me on the whole. At the beginning, the narrator's mentor, William, performed a Sherlock Holmes-level deduction about an escaped horse. It set my hopes high, but William didn't operate at that level again in the nearly 600 pages that followed.
That said, I didn't hate the book, either. I appreciated the history and there were some compelling passages about books and knowledge I actually loved. I don't regret reading it, but I don't see myself picking it up again. I'd be willing to try more from Eco, but I'm going to need some time, first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death
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
atamano's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, and Suicide
lananis's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Hay partes que son muy lentas pero lo vale por la trama. Me sorprendió el sentido del humor y tiene uno de los mejores finales de cualquier historia de misterio que he leído.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexism and Homophobia
astrocate's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
sherbertwells's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
As the apocalypse looms, two monks investigate the lethal secrets of a wealthy abbey. One of those books which is more smart than enjoyable, but mystery fans will love the labyrinthine plot and fellow nerds will admire the semiotic shenanigans.
“It is a hard thing for this old monk, on the threshold of death, not to know whether the letter he has written contains some hidden meaning, or more than one, or many, or none at all” (610)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Gore, Blood, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Torture, Islamophobia, and Drug use