The Name of the Rose

"A novel of stunning intelligence, linguistic richness, thematic complexity"  
Il Giorno
 
Set in Italy in the Middle Ages, this is not only a narrative of a murder investigation in a monastery in 1327, but also a chronicle of the 14th century religious wars, a history of monastic orders, and a compendium of heretical movements.
 
"This novel belongs with Voltaire' philosophical tales - in the entertaining guise of an erudite fiction story, it is also a vibrant plea for freedom, moderation and wisdom"  
L'Express
 
"Umberto Eco has written a novel - his first - and it has become a literary event"  
New York Times Book Review