The Key to The Name of the Rose

"The Key to 'The Name of the Rose' is a conversation with readers of The Name of the Rose. You will find it a wonderfully illuminating conversation that furthers and deepens your reading experience. The authors' scholarship is as unerring as their sense of fun: The Key is full of bizarre characters and mirthful anecdotes. It is, in truth, a delightful guide not just to The Name of the Rose, but to the Middle Ages. For those who have read and enjoyed The Name of the Rose, this key will prove a belated boom; for those who have been intending to take the plunge, The Key is a real lifesaver, time-saver, decoder. But it is also a pleasure in itself."
—Thomas Cahill

Originally published in 1987, The Key to 'The Name of the Rose' remains the only commentary on Umberto Eco's historical novel available in English. With over twenty translations of The Name of the Rose available there was a great need for commentaries in other languages.

Whatever has brought or returned you to Eco's masterpiece, The Key to 'The Name of the Rose' will serve as a scholarly but readable companion, one that will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of Eco's intricate text.

Praise / Awards

• "Simply put, this is a marvelous book, a wonderful resource for both the beginner and the Eco scholar alike. The writing style is fresh and very readable, striking the perfect balance between academic rigor and simplicity of use—it tells you exactly what you need to know, often pointing out small jokes, interesting asides, and occasional inconsistencies. . . . It really is a small treasure. . . ."
  —Allen B. Ruch, Porta Ludovica
  
• "Eco fans will find his dictionary of obscure references invaluable. . . ."
  —Medium Aevum, LXIX (2000)