I am giving up… FOR NOW…

I had to write a 4- to 10-page review on “The Name…” for my History teacher, but I didn’t finish the book before the deadline (consumed a third part, I guess), so I wrote it basing on what I had managed to read so far and a few reviews and summaries from the Web. But I am willing to continue my consumption, only that I don’t have much time now to read for the sheer fun of it (with three tests to prepare for AND four books I have to read, also for school).

Gonna return to it. Supposedly around the winter break.

Well, it was a tough one. In particular, I found the first 100 or so pages to be very slow going. I had to intentionally sit downa nd read, instead of picking up the book whenever I had 2 minutes free. Eventually, though, I found it became easier. I really enjoyed the bits about the abbey and the mystery, but found the talk about Jesus laughing and the Apostles owning property really took it out of me.
The PostScript was great, though. I especially enjoyed Eco’s discussion of why the mystery was set where and when it was and how those choices forced other aspects of the story, notably all the talk about property and laughter. It’s not light reading, and it didn’t change my life, but there’s a certain depth to the story that I enjoyed, and I may end up coming back for more Eco in the future.