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Cover of The Name of the Rose

Mystery · Historical

The Name of the Rose

by Umberto Eco

Bestseller: about 50 million copies (estimate)

4.1 out of 5, from 824 ratings from Hardcover readers

In 1327, a Franciscan friar and his young assistant visit a wealthy Italian abbey to prepare for a theological meeting, and find themselves investigating a series of deaths tied to a forbidden library.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
1980
Pace
Slow
Length
Long
Pages
556
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you want a dense, bookish medieval mystery that is as much about ideas as about the murders.

Skip this if you want a quick read, since it contains long stretches of theology and untranslated Latin.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Violence
  • Death
  • Religious extremism
  • Torture
  • Sexual content

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Blood

Quick answers about The Name of the Rose

What is The Name of the Rose about?
In 1327, a Franciscan friar and his young assistant visit a wealthy Italian abbey to prepare for a theological meeting, and find themselves investigating a series of deaths tied to a forbidden library.
Who should read The Name of the Rose?
Read it if you want a dense, bookish medieval mystery that is as much about ideas as about the murders. Skip it if you want a quick read, since it contains long stretches of theology and untranslated Latin.
How long and how fast is The Name of the Rose?
It is a slow-paced, long read of about 556 pages, first published in 1980.
Does The Name of the Rose have content warnings?
Content we flag: Violence, Death, Religious extremism, Torture, Sexual content.
Can I borrow The Name of the Rose for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Name of the Rose; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after The Name of the Rose?
Readers who liked it often move on to The Shadow of the Wind, The Secret History, Wolf Hall.

Where to get it

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