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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 Middle Ages Fiction Exciting Suspense
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Would you consider the audio edition of The Name of the Rose to be better than the print version?

Few audiobooks are 'better' than their analogue progenitors. But this audio version allows the listener to imagine a different landscape. Not 'better' but a very welcomed addition to my Eco library.

What did you like best about this story?

It is challenging - on one level a simple historical whodunnit, on another, a deeper investigation into the nature of knowledge, of assumption versus deliberation, of belief versus empirical study. And, it's long enough to really become absorbed within it. Plus, it introduced Eco to many non-Italian speakers for the first time.

Which character – as performed by Sean Barrett – was your favourite?

Adso, the neophyte.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Some pages are best left unturned...

Any additional comments?

When, please, will we get Tim Curry's narration of 'Foucault's Pendulum'? Or any other reputable artiste? I have the cassette version from the early 1990s but would love a digital edition. Come on, please, Audible!

Atmospheric, Erudite & Eclectic - a Treasure

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A great story brought to life by the narrator. He brings the characters to life. Thoroughly recommended...

sean barrett is stunning in his oration.

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Would you listen to The Name of the Rose again? Why?

Yes. The narration by Sean Barrett is superlative. The text is complex and he deals with it smoothly and with great clarity.

What other book might you compare The Name of the Rose to, and why?

Really, The Name of The Rose, stands somewhat alone. It is difficult to compare to others I have listened to, and I have listened to many!

Have you listened to any of Sean Barrett’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes. The Trilogy - Harlequin - Vagabond - Heretic by Bernard Cornwell and others. Different sorts of stories but again dealing with text which needs a great narrator. Which Sean Barrett is.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Much as one would care to listen to in one sitting - it is quite long and much better in easy stages.

Any additional comments?

Narrators - such as Sean Barrett, with clear concise diction, should be sought out to read other stories you may obtain. It seems there are quite a lot of modern readers with, to put it mildly, too high pitched voices and they 'gabble' somewhat! Not good for a comfortable listen!

A Serious Listen! Wonderful!

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I zoned out so many times, I lost count. It is overlong, and so many parts not needed. I think this is a case where the film version does the book more justice than it deserves. A book that really does need an abridged version.

Such a Bore

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A lot of theological philosophy, sexual desires and behaviors from monks (too much for my taste), politics in the abbey. The murder investigation, while being the main plot, takes second seat. The story was fine enough to keep me listen until the end but this book is longer than it should. I got a bit tired of it toward the end.
The narrator does a good job. My only complaint about him is that sometimes he speaks louder or lower and I had to change the volume on my device. But his narration is very good.

More focused on the monks than on the murder

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