90 pages 3 hours read

Umberto Eco

The Name of the Rose

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In 1327 Italy, Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and novice Adso of Melk arrive at a Benedictine abbey to mediate a theological disputation between the Emperor’s Franciscans and the Pope, but they are soon drawn into investigating a series of mysterious deaths among the monks. Utilizing logic, theology, and empirical methods, they unravel hidden secrets within the abbey's labyrinthine library, uncovering dangerous truths intertwined with forbidden manuscripts.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose is praised for its richly detailed historical setting and intricate, intellectual-driven plot. Critics laud its depth and philosophical themes, though some find the narrative dense and challenging. Overall, it's considered a rewarding read for those willing to engage with its complexities.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Name of the Rose?

A reader who enjoys intellectual mysteries woven with historical and philosophical depth would relish The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Fans of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code or Arturo Pérez-Reverte's The Club Dumas will appreciate Eco's intricate plot and rich medieval setting.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Italian Literature

Topics

History: European