Medieval monks? Thinly disguised opportunities to lecture the reader about history and theology? Showing off your knowledge of obscure and less obscure references? It might sound obnoxious, but Eco is obviously just a giant nerd and is having fun, and I fell for his joy more than anything. Though I do love monasteries and medieval backgrounds and libraries and clever protagonists, so that helped.
Quotes
Der Teufel ist nicht der Fürst der Materie, der Teufel ist die Anmaßung des Geistes, der Glaube ohne ein Lächeln, die Wahrheit, die niemals vom Zweifel erfaßt wird.