It should be stated at the outset; The Name of the Rose can be a difficult read. Umberto Eco, author, philosopher, and professor of Semiotics, has packed the book full with Christian church history, medieval life, untranslated Latin, and even herb lore. The undaunted reader will see, however, that these seemingly unrelated threads help to weave a rich tapestry of world building and top notch storytelling.
The story follows a Franciscan monk, a curious and thoughtful intellectual named William of Baskerville. His novice, Adso of Melk, is the young Benedictine monk who narrates the story and acts as a sort of Dr. Watson to William’s Holmes-like character. The pair have been dispatched to investigate rumors of heresy at a 14th century Italian monastery. When they arrive, it is discovered that a young monk has died mysteriously. William of Baskerville, whose insight is well known, is asked to look into what happened. The mysteries and secrets only seem to multiply as we’re introduced to a memorable cast of characters, and the story unfolds from there.
The book is also rich with philosophical and theological discussion that is pertinent to a monastery in 1327, including the various heresies of the time, and whether Jesus ever laughed. Eco plants the reader directly into the time period with his seemingly effortless use of science, religion, and culture. While these “slice of life” moments can be a little distracting from the central plot, they mainly prove to enrich the historical background of a ceaselessly engaging story.
This book is available for download as an eBook on Libby and Hoopla, or in the library’s physical collection. It’s also a movie starring Sean Connery and a young Christian Slater, available in your library on DVD!