THE AUTHOR

Besides being a famous writer, Umberto Eco was a Professor at the University of Bologna specialized in medieval literature and philosophy. This period of history and his great interest in sign processes and meanings influenced not only his academic work, but also his work as a writer. He was also an acclaimed literary critic and a translator. “The Name of the Rose” was his first (and most famous) novel. A film was made only six years after the book was published with Sean Connery playing William of Baskerville and Christian Slater, at the time a very young actor, as his assistant. Six other novels followed, along with numerous non-fiction books and some children books. Due to his extensive and high quality work, he received several awards and honours.

THE BOOK

Friar William of Baskerville arrives at the Abbey to address a matter related to a dispute within the Catholic Church. However, dead bodies start to emerge in a very sudden and mysterious way. William of Baskerville is put in charge of the investigation of these crimes. Because it soon becomes clear that those friars were murdered. We follow the investigation through the eyes of his assistant, Adso of Melk, a novice that escorts William of Baskerville. What is the meaning of those strange ink stains on the bodies? Why the investigation keeps going back to the labyrinthine library in the Abbey, which is unique in the world and has the rarest editions? William of Baskerville cannot count on ADN analysis nor fingertips comparison. He lives in the Middle Ages, after all. He can only count on his analysis and deduction skills. But time is running out. Bodies keep showing up and Inquisition is on his heels. How will he solve the murders and prevent further people from dying?

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