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 1104, Baudolino of Alessandria enters Constantinople, unknowing of the Fourth Crusade that is throwing the city into chaos. In the confusion he meets Niketas Choniates and saves his life. Baudolino amazes with his language genius, speaking any language he ever heard, and on the question of explanation on what he is if not part of the crusade, he begins to tell his story to Niketas.
In 1155, Baudolino is sold to and adopted by the emperor Frederick I. At court and on the battlefield, he gets 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.
Editions
- Harcourt (October 15, 2002; hardcover; ISBN 0151006903)
- Grasset (February 12, 2002; paperback, French; ISBN 2246615011)
- Recorded Books (October 2002; audio cassette; ISBN 1402528140)
- Distribooks (January 2003; Italian; ISBN 8845251950)
- Harvest Books (October 6, 2003; paperback; ISBN 0156029065)