The Name of the Rose book cover

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco Summary

The Name of the Rose
Umberto Eco
4.14 (389095 Reviews)
Philosophy
History
Politics
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of The Name of the Rose

Medieval monastery, 1327: A Franciscan monk investigates murders linked to forbidden knowledge. Eco's debut masterpiece sold millions, sparking debates on faith versus reason. What secret in Aristotle's lost book was worth killing for? The labyrinth awaits.

Similar books to The Name of the Rose

Start Reading Your Way
Quick Summary8 min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42 min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card9 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun19 min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Key takeaways

1

When Books Become Weapons

play
00:00
00:00

A dead monk lies beneath abbey walls, his body twisted in the snow. The year is 1327, and within the stone corridors of a wealthy Italian monastery, knowledge itself has become lethal. What unfolds is not merely a medieval murder mystery but a profound meditation on the dangerous seduction of certainty, the subversive power of laughter, and the eternal question: who gets to decide what truths we're allowed to know? This is the world of Umberto Eco's masterpiece, where a Franciscan friar named William of Baskerville-part Sherlock Holmes, part philosopher-must solve a series of deaths that all lead back to a single forbidden book hidden in the greatest library in Christendom.

2

The Architecture of Secrets

3

The Poverty of Christ and the Wealth of Power

4

Why Laughter Terrifies the Powerful

5

The Flesh Beneath the Habit

6

When Certainty Burns

7

What We Possess Are Only Names

Explore Your Way of Learning
The Name of the Rose isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Philosophy. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to The Name of the Rose Summary in 8 Minutes

Quick Summary
Quick Summary
The Name of the Rose Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from The Name of the Rose into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

play
00:00
00:00

Flash Card Mode - Top 9 Insights from The Name of the Rose in a Nutshell

Flash Card
Flash Card
Top 9 Insights from The Name of the Rose in a Nutshell

Distill The Name of the Rose into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Flash Mode Swiper

Fun Mode - The Name of the Rose Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

Fun
Fun
The Name of the Rose Lessons Told Through 19-Min Stories

Experience The Name of the Rose through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

play
00:00
00:00

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to The Name of the Rose Summary in 0 Minutes

Personalize
Personalize
Experience The Name of the Rose in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

Personalize Mode

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
Start your learning journey, now
Download This Summary

Get the The Name of the Rose summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.