Leo the African

Here’s another true story written as a novel, this time an autobiography, which I love. Again, the locations are fantastic,  it’s something of a travelogue, and there’s a strong element of cross-cultural fluidity.

The hero of the book is a Muslim exile from Granada who was brought up in Fez and became an itinerant merchant, journeying through the Sahara and what is now Sudan before settling in Cairo. On his way back to Fez, he was captured by pirates, sent to Rome, converted to Christianity, became a translator and researcher for the Pope, and wrote a description of Africa. Oh,… show more.

The memoirs of Hasan al-Wazzan, merchant and traveller. Born in the last years of Moslem Spain, exiled to Morocco, he wandered the Mediterranean world, and beyond, encountering sultans, slaves, bandits, fortune tellers, pirates, madmen, scholars, ambassadors, kings, emperors, and popes. In Rome, he was baptised as Leo, then taught and studied, writing several books about Africa and Islam, before returning to Morocco. 

This novel reminds us of the complexities of culture, language, and religion in a tumultuous, war-torn world, not unlike our own. It is also a very good read.