I really loved this book! It was quite strange - seeming like two different books smashed together, but it works really well and is pretty original.
For the most part (there is a short introduction which sets the scene) we follow a young German monk, Adso, who is apprenticed to Brother William of Baskerville, an Englishman. Brother William is sent to a Franciscan monastery in Italy to investigate heresy and partake in political talks. When he gets there he finds a young monk has died in mysterious circumstances, and investigates over the next seven days.
It is this which makes the novel such an odd one, the setting is in a monastery in 1327 but is at it's core a murder mystery. The subjects are monks, so the narrative is peppered with theological discussions and explorations of the political and religious landscapes of the time. It is hugely interesting and surprising. Eco has written a novel which is a prefect balance between a compelling story which drives you on to see what happens next, and a thoughtful exploration of a certain time and lifestyle. It is beautifully done, comes across as very well researched and is really readable, I highly recommend it.
Next I'm reading 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce. It was really popular when I worked in Waterstones but I didn't manage to get hold of a proof, I was happy to find this copy in a charity shop at the weekend.
