Have you read: "The name of the rose" by Umberto Eco?

[sebanaj]

If so, what did you think of it? Is it real?
I read as a kid, but forgot it, now i'm re reading it. I think it's quite catchy.

 

[superunknown]

Originally posted by sebanaj
If so, what did you think of it? Is it real?
I read as a kid, but forgot it, now i'm re reading it. I think it's quite catchy.

Yes I read it. What do you mean "is it real"?

 

[sebanaj]

If the story is true... Some people said it's invented...

 

[superunknown]

As far as I know the story is invented.. but dont quote me on this. Im not sure..

 

[inahurry]

Fiction. Talent and the literary style (called inter-textualism or something like that) makes it seem real. Good book of fiction, with some real history characters or places etc. Eco's professional background helps too. Worth reading anyway. Better writen than Foucault's Pendulum that throws in a lot of history narrated such way that makes it thrilling even if he has obvious parti-pris.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Originally posted by sebanaj
If so, what did you think of it? Is it real?
I read as a kid, but forgot it, now i'm re reading it. I think it's quite catchy.

I watched the film of it with Sean Connery in it, does that count?

 

[schmiddi]

read it, hell of a book

 

[Achinz]

Agreed, absorbing reading. Applied creative history by a specialist scholar.

BTW the film starring Sean Connery was quite atmospheric too!

 

[Archer 007]

Never read it. What is it about?

 

[Chauliodus]

Two monks are sent to this monastery to investigate a series of murders.

 

[sebanaj]

My dad says that Eco is some kind of Semiologist, or Symbologist, and he affected the story with his concepts, i quite found a lot of semiology or symbology terms in the book text. So it may not be completely original translation -untouched- from Adso of Melck.

 

[sebanaj]

I enjoyed the film too, the tv repeat it from time to time.

 

[schmiddi]

@archer It's about two monastic orders meeting to discuss theological matters in a monastery. At the time of the meeting there happen some murders. They have to do with a "forbidden" book.

 

[Ad Hominem]

Fantastic book, great read. Don't judge by the (very good, in it's own behalf) film, for the latter is only an abstract, barebone transliteration of the former.

The book has several layers (most of them quite subtle) and to actually enjoy it to the full extent, you should be reading a dozen (or two) of other books simultaneusly

But you can treat it as just historical fiction - the enjoyment shall be quite huge anyway.

 

[Adso de Fimnu]

Odd to find this thread, here.

I recommend The Key to the Name of the Rose in addition to The Name of the Rose- it really helps with the Latin translations, and gives background on all the real characters in the book, as well as general information about the events of the time period. It makes a great book even better (unless you happen to be a medieval history scholar who speaks perfect Latin- then I guess it wouldn't help you much).

Oh, and there's a good quote in the introduction, too.

 

[luiz]

Read it and saw the movie. Both great.

 

[Sodak]

Very enjoyable book to read. My only complaint is that Eco the Ego shines thru a bit too much. Even so, I recommend it.