Baudolino
Baudolino is a 2000 novel by Umberto Eco about Baudolino's adventures in the known Christian world of the 12th century.
In the year of 1204, Baudolino of Alessandria enters Constantinople, unaware of the Fourth Crusade that has thrown the city into chaos. In the confusion he meets Niketas Choniates and saves his life. Niketas is amazed with his language genius, speaking any language he ever heard, and on the question if he is not part of the crusade, Baudolino begins to recount his life story to Niketas.
His story begins in 1155, when Baudolino is sold to and adopted by the emperor Frederick I. At court and on the battlefield, he is educated in writing and Latin and learns a lot about the power struggles and battles of northern Italy at the time. He is sent to Paris to become a scholar.
In Paris, he gains friends, and learns about the mythical kingdom of Prester John. From this happening and on, Baudolino is dreaming of reaching this land. On a long journey, encompassing 25 years, Eco demonstrates the full width of his story-telling style. Baudolino meets eunuchs, unicorns and caricatures of men. Philosophical debates are mixed with comedy and epic adventure.
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