Keyword: MONASTERY | “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco

In the Middle Ages, Friar William of Baskerville arrives at an Abbey to address a matter related to a dispute within the Catholic Church. Shortly after, dead bodies start to surface in a very sudden and mysterious way and soon it becomes clear that those friars were murdered. A serial killer is on the loose and William of Baskerville is put in charge of the investigation. He can only count on his analysis and deduction skills, and the help of Adso of Melk, a novice travelling with him.

As the investigation unfolds, we learn that the dead men have strange ink stains on their bodies and that they were poisoned. What the ink means and which was the poison remains a mystery. A mystery is also the library of the Abbey. This library safeguards some of the rarest editions of valuable books and it is unique in the world. It had been constructed as a labyrinthine, and only authorized persons are allowed inside: knowledge is power and power must be contained.

Time is running out. Bodies keep showing up and Inquisition is on William of Baskerville’s heels. In the meantime, all paths of the investigation lead to the library. The dead bodies seemed to be related to the library and, to solve the crimes, William and Adso must solve the library riddle.

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. “The Name of the Rose” was his first and most famous novel, which combined all these elements. It was a success so great that a film was made only six years after the book was published. Sean Connery played the role of William of Baskerville and Christian Slater (a very young actor at the time) played the role of Adso of Melk.

Six novels followed this first book and many literary awards. He also developed work as a translator and was a brilliant scholar. His private library was so unique that it was the subject of a documentary. The most peculiar characteristic is that the content of all books in his library was false. Umberto Eco thought false books were far more interesting than books narrating true facts because they were more imaginative. After his death, the books were donated by the family to the University of Bologna.