What I've been reading, Am reading and will be reading

 

 

 

These are for anyone who wants to read the books but in particular for my DD, B.

These are the books we were talking about recently. I think the first one is hard to read but very, VERY intriguing and extremely well written. A little long on some rambling words of ancient Monks, but all of their ramblings add to the outcome. You will see it more clearly, the "why's" of something happening. It's a slog at first but it's very much worth the time you must take to sort out what is going on.

Sorting it out will set the stage for understanding the book, and it will explain the complicated politics of the era, where there were several secular titled Heads,two rival Popes, several OTHER high Church personalities, and all the rest of the highly placed titled rabble, going at in hammer and tongs, while all the others are rebelling against basically the first Mafiosi, who want to turn the church into a Forbes500 for their own benefit.

The writers of the first and last books are scholars of the era, and so to call them historical novels really doesn't serve the books well. Since I haven't the last book yet, this next observation will only apply to Eco's book. His book is more like an historical re-construction, with fictional characters as narrators and supporting actors, than an historical novel. I think this will also apply to the last book, which I'm VERY anxious to read since it deals more with the Heretics from France who are so dear to my heart.

The middle Book is an endearing look at a Bishop from France who goes out to the New Mexico Highlands and lives out his life in service. It's about friendship, and callings and is more of an Historical Novel. I love the books of Willa Cather, and this one will become a favorite to read again in my REAL old age.