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jm65's review against another edition
3.0
Relato con un ritmo demasiado lento, que adolece de "la suerte del héroe".
ohmyhoven's review against another edition
4.0
I really don't know what to think of this book. It is really really good but not of the quality of Maluf's other books. I am really having lots of opposing feelings concerning it.
itsokayitsofficial's review against another edition
1.0
Right, so after having read Leo Africanus I've kind of confirmed what I've suspected for a while now. Maaloufs body of work that I've thus far read varies widely in subject, and I've found each of the books to read vary differently. That is to say that even when taking into account the diverse nature of these books I have not found in them a consistent voice and style specific to Amin Maalouf.
'Big deal' you say, right? Well it kinda pisses me off. 'The Rock of Tanois': simply amazing. 'In the Name of Identity': great shit. 'The Crusades Through Arab Eyes': yeah, okay, why not. 'Leo Africanus': WTF was that Amin? I'll tell you what: 360 pages of "meh", that's what. I literally just finished the book, went to the restroom, came back and said to myself "what the hell did I just read"?
Now, before I get you whipped into a frenzy, I believe I've identified the root of this devolution. Amin writes all of his books in French and they are subsequently translated into English (even though Maalouf is fluent in English). Further still, each of his books has been translated into English by a different person! This being said, I think the human we have to blame here is not Amin but rather a Mr. Peter Sluglett.
So, while in the end Leo Africanus is a boring read at best, we can't all go and blame Amin Maalouf for concussion inducing damage his book will do to your brain . Obviously the failing lies at Pete's feet.
'Big deal' you say, right? Well it kinda pisses me off. 'The Rock of Tanois': simply amazing. 'In the Name of Identity': great shit. 'The Crusades Through Arab Eyes': yeah, okay, why not. 'Leo Africanus': WTF was that Amin? I'll tell you what: 360 pages of "meh", that's what. I literally just finished the book, went to the restroom, came back and said to myself "what the hell did I just read"?
Now, before I get you whipped into a frenzy, I believe I've identified the root of this devolution. Amin writes all of his books in French and they are subsequently translated into English (even though Maalouf is fluent in English). Further still, each of his books has been translated into English by a different person! This being said, I think the human we have to blame here is not Amin but rather a Mr. Peter Sluglett.
So, while in the end Leo Africanus is a boring read at best, we can't all go and blame Amin Maalouf for concussion inducing damage his book will do to your brain . Obviously the failing lies at Pete's feet.
rokoprog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rpradier's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
santi_med's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
read_outside_the_box's review against another edition
5.0
Un livre ouvert et intelligent. Maalouf nous livre un récit de voyage et d'initiation sur fond de guerre et d'amour, à travers déserts et croyances. C'est un appel à l'ouverture qui nous est livré d'une plume à la fois simple et poétique
chavo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
paulpv's review against another edition
3.0
Si bien el hilo conductor de León el Africano se encuentra en los diferentes viajes y los eventos históricos que acontecen en ellos, creo que la escritura de Maalouf se hace más fuerte cuando se centra en la relación de León y su entorno. Esto pasa en las dos primeras partes donde, como niño y joven, León sirve de observador de dos ciudades en las que crece y desarrolla vínculos, a través de los cuales explica la historia y cultura de la región. A partir de aquí, en ocasiones, me he encontrado con una sensación de fantasía excesiva, como si de repente cada evento sucediera al otro por casualidad, las desgracias se convierten en fortuna más por las ganas del escritor por vivir la historia del Mediterráneo que no por la mano de León. En la segunda mitad, en mi opinión, los personajes se vuelven planos como si el transcurso de los hechos no tuviera efecto en ellos dejándolos como simples estereotipos (el amigo valiente y testarudo, la madre preocupada, etc).
A pesar de todo, la novela es muy entretenida y gustará a cualquiera que disfrute del género histórico. Maalouf consigue vestirse de León y nos acompaña, como un padre a su hijo, por un Mediterráneo que da cobijo a innumerables culturas.
A pesar de todo, la novela es muy entretenida y gustará a cualquiera que disfrute del género histórico. Maalouf consigue vestirse de León y nos acompaña, como un padre a su hijo, por un Mediterráneo que da cobijo a innumerables culturas.
nclar17's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A book where you can really live out the adventure. I think the ending was appropriate but, as the book is rooted in reality, it left something to be wanted.