Leo Africanus
Leo Africanus by Amin Maalouf, published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC in 1992, is a softcover edition comprising 360 pages. This work presents an imaginative autobiography of Hasan al-Wazzan, a notable geographer and adventurer born in Granada in 1488. The narrative follows his life journey, beginning with his family’s escape from the Inquisition to North Africa, where he becomes an itinerant merchant. His travels lead him to various regions, culminating in his capture by a Sicilian pirate and subsequent arrival in Rome, where he is baptized as Johannes Leo.
Readers will find a rich exploration of Hasan’s experiences and observations during his extensive travels. The book delves into themes of identity and belonging, as Hasan grapples with his multicultural heritage and the diverse landscapes he encounters. Through his adventures, he contributes significantly to knowledge of the East and West, including the creation of a trilingual dictionary and his renowned work, Description of Africa. This edition offers a unique perspective on historical fiction, blending literary elements with the intricacies of Hasan’s life and the broader cultural exchanges of his time.
Official synopsis Publisher
“I, Hasan the son of Muhammad the weigh-master, I, Jean-Leon de Medici, circumcised at the hand of a barber and baptized at the hand of a pope, I am now called the African, but I am not from Africa, nor from Europe, nor from Arabia. I am also called the Granadan, the Fassi, the Zayyati, but I come from no country, from no city, no tribe. I am the son of the road, my country is the caravan, my life the most unexpected of voyages.”
Thus wrote Leo Africanus, in his fortieth year, in this imaginary autobiography of the famous geographer, adventurer, and scholar Hasan al-Wazzan, who was born in Granada in 1488. His family fled the Inquisition and took him to the city of Fez, in North Africa. Hasan became an itinerant merchant, and made many journeys to the East, journeys rich in adventure and observation. He was captured by a Sicilian pirate and taken back to Rome as a gift to Pope Leo X, who baptized him Johannes Leo. While in Rome, he wrote the first trilingual dictionary (Latin, Arabic and Hebrew), as well as his celebrated Description of Africa, for which he is still remembered as Leo Africanus.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Leo Africanus” about?
Who is the author of “Leo Africanus”?
When was “Leo Africanus” published?
What is the ISBN for “Leo Africanus”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
