Have you heard the phrase “stranger than fiction”? It means that real-life events are so absurd, fantastical, or surprising that they seem more likely to be found in a made-up story. The word “roman-à-clef” turns that concept on its head. The term, which translates from French as “novel with a key,” refers to a piece of fiction that is based on real people or events, but with changed names. “Novel with a key” refers to how readers can unlock the truth behind the fictional story. Some popular romans-à-clef include “The Devil Wears Prada” (purportedly inspired by “Vogue” editor Anna Wintour), “Primary Colors” (loosely based on Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign), and TV’s “Succession,” based on media mogul families like the Hearsts and the Murdochs.