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reviewed The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (Harvest in translation)

Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose (1994, Harcourt Brace) 4 stars

It is the year 1327. Franciscans in an Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, but …

Review of 'The Name of the Rose' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

It took me a while to get into the story, but in the end I enjoyed it.

You might find yourself bogged down with Eco's need to show you how much he knows about monks, religious rites, and history. Descriptions are everywhere--you practically drown in them. But wade through it all and you will find Brother William, a Medieval-era Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Adso. William notices details that others overlook. He comes to the monastery as they have just discovered a suicide. Several deaths follow as William and Adso work together to figure out what is happening. The monks are quite naughty, and the mystery is solid.

It wasn't a quick read due to the tremendous amount of details Eco adds, but it is a good book. Now off to watch the movie!