roman à clef

[ raw-mah na kle ]

noun

, French.

, plural ro·mans à clef [r, aw-mah, n, z, a, , kle].

1. a novel that represents historical events and characters under the guise of fiction.

roman à clef

/ rɔmɑ̃ a kle /

noun

1. a novel in which real people are depicted under fictitious names

roman à clef

1. A novel in which actual people and places are disguised as fictional characters . Roman à clef is French for “novel with a key.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of roman à clef¹

First recorded in 1880–85; literally “novel with a key,” the key being the connection between the fictional and nonfictional elements of the novel

Word History and Origins

Origin of roman à clef¹

literally: novel with a key

Example Sentences

There is no more quotable novel about Hollywood than Carrie Fisher’s roman à clef, “Postcards From the Edge.”

From Los Angeles Times

The seamless overlap between real life and fictional counterparts, and the faithful reproduction of such well-established facts, conveys the author’s intention to offer a crystal clear clé to this roman à clef.

From New York Times

Also please read his “Jarnegan,” a roman à clef about a thug and criminal who comes to Hollywood, and becomes a great director.

From New York Times

Originally the book’s nine stories were going to stand alone, but during the writing process Clowes shifted toward telling the story of one person’s life against a backdrop of paranormal suspense: a roman à clef crossed with EC Comics’ “The Haunt of Fear.”

From Los Angeles Times

The story quoted a few skeptics—among them the writer Harry Monaghan, who’d written a well-received roman à clef five years prior, and who had a regular column in the Post.

From Slate