The Name of the Rose (Paperback)
Umberto Eco (author)Published: 05/02/2004
An alchemic mixture of crime fiction, metaphysical philosophy and forensically detailed medieval history, Eco’s post-modern monastery-based murder mystery is an intellectual triumph as well as a diabolically clever whodunit.
The year is 1327.
Franciscans in a wealthy Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, and Brother William of Baskerville arrives to investigate.
When his delicate mission is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths, Brother William turns detective. He collects evidence, deciphers secret symbols and coded manuscripts, and digs into the eerie labyrinth of the abbey where extraordinary things are happening under the over of night.
A spectacular popular and critical success, The Name of the Rose is not only a narrative of a murder investigation but an astonishing chronicle of the Middle Ages.
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
ISBN: 9780099466031
Number of pages: 592
Weight: 405 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 35 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'The late medieval world, teetering on the edge of discoveries and ideas that will hurl it into one more recognisably like ours...evoked with a force and wit that are breathtaking' - The Financial Times
'A novel of sunning intelligence, linguistic richness, thematic complexity' - Il Giorno
'This novel belongs with Voltaire' philosophical tales-in the entertaining guise of an erudite fiction story, it is also a vibrant plea for freedom, moderation and wisdom' - L'Express
'A brilliant deconstruction of the traditional crime novel' - Iain Rankin, The Mail on Sunday
'Whether you're into Sherlock Holmes, Montaillou, Borges, the nouvelle critique, the Rule of St. Benedict, metaphysics, library design, or The Thing from the Crypt, you'll love it. Who can that miss out?' - The Sunday Times
You may also be interested in...
“Great...but hard!”
After skimming over the slightly dull (but perhaps necessary) prologue and reading a few pages the book had my interest. It takes a while to get into it I will admit, but it is worthwhile. The fact that the deaths are... More
“Amazing...”
Eco's first novel, in my opinion, is still his best. Set in a mediaeval monastery, the dark shadowy atmosphere encompasses fear, murders, mystery and passion, where abbots cannot be trusted and monks are not... More
“sophisticated pastime”
the author shows his culture but it is not thrilling
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?