Leo The African by Amin Maalouf (PDF)

Description

From his chlidhood in Fez, having fled the Christian Inquisition, through his many journeys to the East as an itinerant merhcant, Hasans story is a quixotic catalogue of pirates, slave girls and princesses, encompassing the complexities of a world in a state of religious flux. Hasan too is touched by the instability of the era, performing his hadj to Mecca, then converting to Christianity, only to relapse back to the Muslim faith later in life. In re-creating his extraordinary experiences, Amin Maalouf sketches an irrisistible portrait of the Mediterranea world as it was nearly five centuries ago – the fall of Granada, the Ottoman conquest of Egypt, Renaissance Rome under the Medicis: all contribute to a background of spectacular colour, matched only by the picaresque adventures of Hasan’s life.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Smells vintage and looks just perfect

⭐An sweeping epic tale that is also deliciously descriptive and imaginative. The tale of Leon the African who is born in Granada when it was still occupied by Muslims, who faces exile numerous times in his life, finds and loses love several times. Rises to riches and power, is captured and made a slave. Lives as a Muslim, Christian and then Muslim again this story has it all. I would and have recommended this book to everyone I know.

⭐Fascinating story. Excellent documentation of the tribulations of displaced people of the era. A must read.

⭐Great book with interesting historic perspectiveThis is his 2nd book. The first I read Balthazar’s travel was also very good

⭐A great journey through history

⭐The story takes place in the 15th century, an era known for discovery, upheaval and persecution. Based upon true events of the life of Leo Africanus, a.k.a. Al-Wazzan, son of Mohammed, Hasan Al-Gharnati and finally Al-Fassi, the author illustrates the plight of Leo as he is forced to leave Granada due to the expulsion of Muslims by the King and Queen of Spain. Hence, Leo begins a wandering path for over the next 50 years. It is a path which leads him to his legacy. The author does a great job in illustrating the cities of Fez, Cairo and Rome, all cities which Leo sojourns and the events which take place while there. From treachery, battles, seclusion, pirate raids, leprosy, thievery, death and birth, you will love every bit of drama as told by Aamin Maalouf. It will become one of your favorite historical novels!

⭐Some of the characters a reader will “meet” upon reading this novel: Barbarossa the Pirate, Pope Leo X, Pope Clemence II (if I am correct), the Medicis, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel of Spain, etc. You will be surprised what Amin Maalouf has under his sleeves by reading this book.It was written at the back cover of this book as a true story of Leo the African or Leo Africanus. We was a historian and wrote a book on his travels in African region, mostly north Africa.He was born in Granada, Spain during the waning years of the Moorish Empire in the West and the emergence of Ottoman Empire in the East. His experiences and childhood friends will prove to be vital in the later-years-of-his-life-plot (is it a plot if it is a true story??) His name is Ali al-Wazzan, or Ali from Wazzan. Ali al-Wazzan turned Leo Medici only to reconvert back to Ali.The story was written in several main sections, started with Granada. When Granada eventually fell to the Aragons, his family fled to Fez in Northern Africa. His adventures eventually took him away to other north African cities, and ended up in Egypt. In Egypt, he found a new Circassian wife, already having a wife in Fez. This second wife turned out to be the last defender of the Saracen dynasty. This kingdom was eventually overwhelmed by the Ottomans. Many Western readers may not know that within the Islamic kingdoms, there existed rivalry and hatred among themselves, which were also depicted in gross conflicts by Mr. Maalouf.Ali eventually ended up in the Vatican, where he was the personal slave of neither but Pope Leo X himself. Having excelled in calligraphy and scribles, Ali was ascended into a highrer plane by the Pope by having him converted to Catholicism. Though in heart he was always a Muslim, he enjoyed being a Christian, too. During his stay in the Vatican, he has experienced having reigned by three different popes of different objectives in mind. Since the Vatican aligned themselves with France, eventually disgruntled German clergymen lead by Luther started the church reformation by naming themselves as the Protestants.Leo (Ali, that is) was saved by Hans, his old priest student during his years with Pope Leo X. Leo and his new found converso wife (ex-Mulsim, turned Christian) fled to Africa again, only to reconvert back to Islam. These stories made a great impression on me that conversions are nothing but another fact of life during those turmoil years. Worst for the Jews, since having expelled from Spain. They were being prosecuted again in France.If you think Amin Maalouf is just another middle eastern writer with exotic Oriental writings, you must start reading this work. Having also read the Balthasar’s Odyssey, which is somewhat similar to Leo the African, but on a lighter scale (I gave that book a 4 star), I must recommend this novel as one of my all time favorite read. Have it a try!

⭐When you begin a long journey, Leo tells us, start with a short step. That way if you forget something, it’s no distance to go back home for it! Good advice.Leo the African is set in Medieval North Africa. Leo is an arab in the employ of the pope Leo X, recounting to us his history, and how he came to serve the Church of Rome.In his youth he travelled widely from his home in Morocco, all across the arab world. His journeys are clearly based on those of the great traveller of the Arabic world, Ibn Batuta.The book is narrated in a familiar and relaxed style and you quickly settle into it, like a comfortable armchair. One of the nicest and most memorable books I have had the pleasure to read. It contains much wisdom about travel, about people, and about the arab world. Well worth the five stars!

⭐Interesting read. Fluent and simple. Very engaging. A lot of history about the fall of Andalusia and spanish conquest about the last remaining kingdom of Granada(that’s a really sad part tbh) , Morocco and Entire Africa. Some insights about Islamic religious practices and traditions.There are some details in the book that some readers may find unpalatable ie very vaque references to personal relationships.Went through half book so far.

⭐Amazing epic story following life of a Muslim boy chased out of southern Spain with his family on the fall of Granada 1492 – then on to and through North Africa and beyond – he takes on different identities and adopts new languages to fit each new culture he finds himself in – destiny takes him through through heights of prosperity and depths of poverty … eventually returning him to Europe as a slave through Italy during the Renaissance. Illuminating tale for our present time . Highly recommended

⭐This fictional work on a larger than life real life character. Although not a lot is known of his life the writer via poetic license and real historical events and the main players in history weaves a magical tale

⭐A great way to explore some of the history of the region with a different kind of journey

⭐It is a very interesting book, enjoyable to read, informative, well written, with some humour, despite the tragic events described and something I could relate too having lived in Granada for 14 years and having been to Morocco, Istanbul and Rome.

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