What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Name of the Rose
Jean-Jacques Annaud · Film · 1986
If you loved The Name of the Rose, start with The Name of the Rose (Umberto Eco, 1984) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 1 podcast, each matched to The Name of the Rose across media.
If you loved The Name of the Rose, you likely crave stories where intellectual deduction clashes with the shadows of religious dogma.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown · Book · 2003
Explores: Secret Societies, Hidden History, Religious Iconography.
Just as William of Baskerville unravels a conspiracy in The Name of the Rose, this thriller uses hidden history and religious iconography to challenge institutional secrets through clever code breaking.
Kurt Wallander
Henning Mankell · Book · 1991
Explores: Existentialism, Social Commentary, Moral Ambiguity.
Readers who enjoyed the investigative rigor of The Name of the Rose will find a similar commitment to moral examination and social commentary within this gritty, atmospheric crime series.
Perfume (Das Parfum)
Patrick Süskind · Book · 1985
Explores: Obsession, Sensory Deprivation, Social Isolation.
This gothic narrative mirrors the dark, atmospheric obsession found in The Name of the Rose, exploring how a singular, dangerous intellectual pursuit can lead to brutal and calculated murder.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Arthur Conan Doyle · Book · 2001
Explores: Supernatural Mystery, Curse, Inheritance.
The Name of the Rose draws clear inspiration from this classic tale, which similarly places a brilliant, analytical mind against a backdrop of isolation and looming, inexplicable supernatural dread.
Series on the same thread
Sherlock Holmes
John Hawkesworth · Series · 1984
Explores: Deductive Reasoning, Intellectual Superiority, Solving Puzzles.
Viewers captivated by the sharp deductive reasoning in The Name of the Rose will appreciate this series, which highlights how an intellectual superior solves complex puzzles alongside a companion.
True Detective
Nic Pizzolatto · Series · 2014
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existentialism, Corruption.
This series captures the existential tension of The Name of the Rose, focusing on investigators who must navigate deep moral ambiguity and corruption while unearthing secrets from the past.
Jesus of Nazareth
Franco Zeffirelli · Series · 1977
Explores: Faith, Redemption, Sacrifice.
If the theological depth of The Name of the Rose intrigued you, this dramatization offers an expansive look at the historical and religious foundations that define that era's conflicts.
Midnight Mass
Mike Flanagan · Series · 2021
Explores: Religious Fanaticism, Loss of Faith, Miracles and Deception.
This show explores the intersection of faith and deception found in The Name of the Rose, examining how religious fervor and mystery can dismantle a community from within.
Podcasts on the same thread
Rosario
Podcast
Explores: Catholicism, Prayer, Spirituality.
This podcast provides a direct immersion into the spiritual and religious mysteries that served as the primary backdrop for the monastic investigations depicted in The Name of the Rose.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Name of the Rose movie based on a book?
Yes, the 1986 film The Name of the Rose is an adaptation of the 1984 novel of the same name. Both versions follow the Franciscan monk William of Baskerville as he investigates a series of mysterious murders at a 14th-century monastery.
What is the plot of The Name of the Rose?
In The Name of the Rose, William of Baskerville and his novice arrive at a monastery to attend a conference. They discover several monks have been murdered, forcing William to use his intelligence to uncover a shadowy conspiracy while defying the authority of the Church.
Should I read the book The Name of the Rose before watching the film?
You can watch the 1986 film adaptation of The Name of the Rose without reading the 1984 book first. Both works detail the same central mystery involving William of Baskerville and the series of murders occurring within the 14th-century monastery setting.
Is The Name of the Rose set in the 14th century?
Yes, the narrative of The Name of the Rose takes place during the 14th century. The story centers on a Franciscan monk named William of Baskerville who travels to a monastery to investigate a string of suspicious deaths occurring among the monks.