Title: Leo Africanus
Author: Amin Maalouf
First published January 1, 1986
360 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781561310227 (ISBN10: 1561310220)
Rating: 4.2
Overview
Follow the extraordinary life journey of Hasan al-Wazzan, a scholar, adventurer, and geographer who was born in Granada in 1488. In Leo Africanus, Amin Maalouf paints a vivid picture of Hasan’s life as a merchant, his travels to the East, and his capture by a Sicilian pirate.
Gifted to Pope Leo X, Hasan was baptized and given the name Johannes Leo. His time in Rome was productive; Hasan wrote the first trilingual dictionary and his famous Description of Africa.
Experience the unexpected and exciting life of a man whose country was the caravan and whose life was a journey.
About the Author
Meet Amin Maalouf, a Lebanese journalist and novelist who primarily writes and publishes in French. His books are set in historical backgrounds and he, like Umberto Eco, Orhan Pamuk, and Arturo Pérez-Reverte, blends interesting historical facts with fantasy and philosophical concepts.
When asked about his role as a writer, he believes in crafting “positive myths”. Maalouf is a skilled storyteller who presents a thoughtful perspective on the values and beliefs of various cultures in the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Editoral Review
Leo Africanus by Amin Maalouf is a stunning work of historical fiction that brings to life the story of a 16th-century explorer who was both a witness to and participant in some of the most significant events of his time. Originally published in 1986, this work has since established itself as a seminal text that explores identities, cultures, and the impact of Western imperialism on the Middle East and Africa.
The novel chronicles the story of Hasan al-Wazzan, a man born in the Kingdom of Granada who is forced to flee with his family in the aftermath of the Spanish conquest. Set adrift in a turbulent world, Hasan eventually finds himself in the North African city of Fez where he receives a thorough education.
He becomes an interpreter, eventually encountering the legendary Ottoman traveller Piri Reis, and later the Italian pope Leo X as a diplomat. Hasan al-Wazzan even manages to embrace Islam and take the name Leo Africanus.
Despite the grandeur of the historical events portrayed, this novel is essentially character-driven, charting Leo’s explorations, the conflicts and the relationships with various rulers that defined his life. Maalouf’s unique style of blending narrative fiction with historical facts provides a captivating experience for readers.
He manages to maintain a balance between conveying rich historical details while keeping the story engaging throughout. Maalouf’s craft is particularly evident in his exploration of the themes of displacement, identity, and cultural clash.
The novel’s exploration of Western imperialism and its impact on indigenous people is nothing short of compelling. Maalouf deftly highlights the vicious cycle of violence and oppression on both sides, offering a nuanced treatment of an often oversimplified topic.
One minor critique session of the novel is its tendency to drag in some parts. Some of the minor characters were not well developed or utilized effectively to advance the plot, and their presence may appear confusing at times.
Nevertheless, such criticisms are minor quibbles in the grander scheme of the novel, which succeeds in transcending the boundaries of its genre. For readers interested in exploring the history of Western imperialism and its impact on Africa and the Middle East, Leo Africanus is an essential read.
Maalouf’s beautifully written prose provides a gripping and informative portrayal of the experiences of one African man in a time of great upheaval. By the end of the novel, readers will feel like they have experienced a stunning journey through history, one that every prudent reader would never want to miss out on.
Therefore, I recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction and give it a score of 4.5/5.
