Milo Manara's Graphic Novel Adaptation of 'The Name of the Rose' Debuts

Milo Manara's graphic novel adaptation of Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose' is set for release on May 2, published by Oblomov, a subsidiary of La Nave di Teseo. The project, proposed by Eco's children and Elisabetta Sgarbi, marks a departure for Manara, known for erotic art, as he illustrates a narrative centered on monks. The adaptation is serialized in two volumes of about 80 pages each, a rare approach in Italy for a successful author. Manara emphasizes fidelity to Eco's text, using only the original words and making necessary cuts. The artwork focuses on facial expressions and settings, including internal monastery scenes, snowy landscapes, and dream sequences inspired by Hieronymus Bosch, colored by Manara's daughter Simona. Manara drew inspiration from Eco's preparatory sketches and the novel's vision of the Middle Ages as a period of feverish creativity. The graphic novel aims to visually represent Eco's concepts and the medieval context, including marginalia and stories within the story, such as those of Dolcino and Salvatore.