Hardcover, 578 pages
Dutch language
Published Sept. 27, 1985 by Uitgeverij Bert Bakker.
It is the year 1327. Franciscans in an Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, but Brother William of Baskerville’s investigation is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths.
A wonderful, distinctive tale. Although it has the deep research of a historical novel, it's really a detective story.
Must be ready for deep literary devices though: page-long descriptions and passages in actual Latin.
It's a murder mystery set in a 14th century Italian monastery. It's Eco's thesis on symbols and faith. It drags at times, but the whole picture is such a well constructed story that gives you a great basis to appreciate Eco's later works (which are sometimes a response to this book's success).
Big surprise, I loved this book. It was an entertaining yarn with humor and poignancy, insight and farce, accessible mystery and esoteric theology!
It is interesting that I read it now instead of years ago when I bought it. In that time between purchase and reading, I have read other works that prepared me for this!
Some books truly are better further along in one's reading career
Hm, tak tohle ne. Film mám rád, ale knihu jsem dočíst nedokázal. Ta spousta keců okolo byla prostě k zbláznění nezáživná.
