monkery

The Name of the Rose

The Name of the Rose is a novel by Umberto Eco; or, perhaps more accurately, a parable about freedom of information masquerading as a guide to 1320s heresies masquerading as a historical murder mystery. It is narrated by Adso of Melk, and concerns events which took place when he was a novice under the eccentric Franciscan (although are any Franciscans not eccentric?), William of Baskerville.

It has a mediocre 1986 film adaptation starring Sean Connery as William, and a very good 2019 miniseries adaptation wherein William is played by the much more suitable John Turturro. Despite my comparative distate for the film, it does have a good poster, which I provide in small-scale to the side for convenience.

The Secret of Kells

A charming animated film in which a young novice, Brendan, befriends one of Ireland's faeries (Aisling) and a fabled illuminator (Brother Aiden) ☞ and also Pangur Bán the cat. It has an absolutely beautiful artstyle, heavily inspired by the real illuminations in the Book of Kells. The soundtrack is very nice, as well.

Pentiment

This is a game I haven't played yet, but which I definitely intend to. A point-and-click journey in the style of period woodcuts and manuscript illumination. From what I hear, it's quite haunting.

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