Another part-read book ...

Leo the African is an historical novel by the acclaimed Lebanese author Amin Maalouf, who also authored the classic Crusades Through Arab Eyes, a book I can honestly say has been an enormous influence on the way I look at the world.

Maalouf is an extraordinary writer who bridges cultural divides with great deftness. Leo the African is the story of a Moroccan diplomat of Spanish heritage who is kidnapped by pirates and brought to the Vatican. He apparently converted to Catholicism and translated the Qur’an into Latin. Later he fled and returned to Tunisia.

I reviewed another excellent book some years ago about Leo authored by an American historian. I'm only upto page 21 of Maalouf's book. Pathetic, really.

Words © 2010 Irfan Yusuf