Rupert Everett steals the show as an evil inquisitor, but this messy adaptation of Umberto Eco’s mystery in the abbey requires the patience of a saint to follow
Stories that appear to buy into hidden plots, from Franz Kafka to Thomas Pynchon, have an insistent appeal for readers looking to find out ‘what really happened’
Seen in literary fiction as well as SF, this genre weaves together complex debates in a way that can offer a clearer view of the future – think Atwood, DeLillo and Asimov
This collection of magazine columns published in Italy after the author’s recent death covers a vast array of subjects, from Facebook to Berlusconi to gun control – are all subject to his illuminating but rather withering glare
From George RR Martin to Umberto Eco, many writers have been inspired by stories of the middle ages. Here are some of the best, writes Carolyne Larrington
The Name of the Rose review – too many monks spoil the plot
2 out of 5 stars.