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The Name of the Rose

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The Name of the Rose

By: Umberto Eco
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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About this listen

This hugely engaging story of murder, superstition, religious politics and drama in a medieval monastery was one of the most striking novels to appear in the 1980s. The Name of the Rose is a thrilling story enriched with period detail and laced with tongue-in-cheek allusions to fictional characters, the most striking of which is the Franciscan friar William of Baskerville, who displays many characteristics of Sherlock Holmes. Although he looks at the past through a postmodern lens, Eco catapults his listeners into the dark medieval world as Brother William tries to discover why people are dying inexplicably and nastily in the monastery. There is something not altogether right within the library that is the pride of the establishment.... The old man Adso, who was an impressionable novice at the time, tells the story.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©1980 Gruppo Editoriale Fabbri-Bompiani, Sonzongo, Etas S.p.A (P)2013 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Historical Mystery Fiction Exciting Suspense

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All stars
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Both engrossing and exasperating. This book seems to divide readers though I feel mixed, having read it before but first time I listened to the outstanding narration by Sean Barrett. A book of massive complexity in its philosophising, which left me quite often baffled to be honest. Enormous levels of detail, erudition, lists which are sometimes tedious and feel unnecessary and discursions.Also a lot of Latin as has been mentioned by others which to the general reader is impenetrable and frustrating, as I found some of the politics.
On the plus side it is a book of enormous atmosphere and gives a terrifying and authentic-feeling glimpse into the medieval theological world ...supposed heretical practices, complex disputation into theological beliefs which seem to be always shifting according to the times, terror of damnation and the inquisition , violence, mysogyny, and the rabidly held beliefs that lead to the events narrated.

Massively complex and atmospheric

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The story has a tendency to fall into rambling passages regarding the state of religion in the 13th century, which none but the true enthusiast will find really interesting. That said, all details are relevant to a certain extent and the narration of this version keeps the story full of interest and tension throughout.

A slog, but worth it

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Wonderful and derailed medieval whodunnit. Loved the film - for me Sean Connory’s finest performances The audible version is excellent too

Classic

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The narrator was amazing. The book itself... Well, I kind of expected more from it. Still, very entertaining and captivating, especially good if you have a lot of time to kill.

Decent

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A beautiful story written with detail and passion. So many themes, much more than a whodunnit. The narrator is excellent.

Perfect

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What a wonderful novel. It immerses one deeply into medieval times. A tour de force!

Literary Historical Whodunit

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I quite enjoy it however, if I’d been reading rather than listening I would have probably given up. There are many long philosophical monologues and lists of diabolical creatures.

Not so much a story, more a list.

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Thoroughly enjoyable, perfectly performed!
It’s a long book but it was very enjoyable to listen to!

Well performed

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One of my favorite books, wonderfully read. The atmosphere and characters of the book captured so well. A true delight

Excellent reading of a modern classic

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Sean Barrett derseves all praise possible for this remarkable narration. The book is simply wonderful (and far superior to the film).
I am delighted to see that Mr Barrett narrates other books by Umberto Eco.
What a treat.

A brlliant narrator brings this to life

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