Sunday Seconds -- there are books that I would really love to re-read -- if I could make the time. Sometimes books have profound impacts on one's reading experience. Sometimes you just know these books could be even greater if you could go back and read them with again better understanding and life experiences under your belt. Sometimes books don't hold up the memory the second time around -- that's the risk. Sunday Seconds will be a cataloging of that kind of wish list.
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THE NAME OF THE ROSE by Umberto Eco

An historical whodunnit set in an Italian monastery in the year 1327, it is an intellectual mystery combining semiotics in fiction, biblical analysis, medieval studies and literary theory. First published in Italian in 1980 under the title Il nome della rosa, it appeared in 1983 in an English translation by William Weaver.

In 1327, Brother William of Baskerville is sent to investigate a wealthy Italian abbey whose monks are suspected of heresy. When his mission is overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths patterned on the book of Revelation, Brother William turns detective, following the trail of a conspiracy that brings him face-to-face with the abbey’s labyrinthine secrets, the subversive effects of laughter, and the medieval Inquisition. Caught in a power struggle between the emperor he serves and the pope who rules the Church, Brother William comes to see that what is at stake is larger than any mere political dispute–that his investigation is being blocked by those who fear imagination, curiosity, and the power of ideas.

It has 600 pages.

Although related by Adso, the story centers around Adso’s mentor, an English Franciscan named William of Baskerville. A disciple of Aristotle and Roger Bacon, William is a man whose religious convictions dwell in coexistence with his love of philosophy and his penchant for investigative science. These “modern” views, which largely define his character and ensure the reader’s sympathy, are about to be thrown into stark relief against the darkest facets of the medieval mind set. The plot begins when William and his enthusiastic pupil are sent to a Benedictine abbey in Northern Italy. This abbey has been chosen to host an important but controversial theological meeting, and it is William’s assignment to lay the groundwork for a smooth transaction. But prior to beginning his investigation, a gruesome murder occurs, shocking the complacent monks and intriguing the ever-curious William. As he investigates the circumstances of the murder, he and Adso set forth on a journey through a convoluted labyrinth of intrigue, where every twist brings them in contact with the superstitions, beliefs, and political machinations that rule the brothers of this strange abbey. As the story unfolds against a background of escalating violence and increasing hysteria, William and Adso find themselves pulled into a widening vortex of tension that soon threatens to unwind the very fabric of their social universe. At the eye of the storm is a secret book hidden away like a deformed child in the attic, a semi-mythical work by Aristotle which heretically declares laughter as the only escape from the doctrine of Universal Truth....

See why I like it? You may be seeing a pattern in the books that I'm choosing. There is an underlying intelligence behind the stories. Love that. And of course, the historical setting, the religious storyline, a mystery to be solved, all things that I like in a book.

The movie made of this book is well done even though it has Christian Slater in it who was early enough in his career therefore his performance doesn't ruin it. Sean Connery does a good job and good production values. BUT, the book is even better. Amazingly, there are studies based upon this book.

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Made good progress yesterday with the newsletter business but I have more to do today. I may just concentrate on the September issue and leave the other things for Wednesday.

I've got to walk Tug before it gets to hot so within about 15 minutes I think. I need to do clothes laundry. I'd like to take Moby Dick for another drive to start getting used to it.

We had another storm pass through yesterday evening. It's good to get the rain. Not much else going on ... although I guess it will be a full day anyway. :) Have a good rest of your weekend everyone.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster