What other fantasy books do YOU read?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Can you recommend any of his books besides Name of the Rose, which I've read (and felt extremely erudite while doing so)?

Foucalt's Pendulum is a definite read. It makes The Da Vinci Code look like a first grade primer. Read it once through, then go back a second time to research the dizzying amount of obscure references to other works (if you like puzzles).

Baudalino is good as well (although I enjoyed Name of the Rose and Foucalt more). It takes place in the 12th century during the 4th Crusade, wherein the brave and saintly Crusaders decided to ignore the formidable Muslims -- who usually crushed them in battle -- and instead disgracefully sacked and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople. Yes, truth is stranger than fiction (can I get a Deus Vult?).

After you get through those, we can discuss Eco's work in semiotics (the study of symbology and signs). Fascinating reading if you are interested in words and how they relate as symbols in communication.

P.S. By the way, I see you like the Pogues. When I was in bar bands, one of the most requested Christmas songs was always Fairytale of New York. Other tunes we liked playing were South Australia and Bottle of Smoke (great drinking songs). We also did a version of Rocky Road to Dublin, but it was more akin to the Young Dubliners' heavy guitar style.