Umberto Eco: Baudolino (Finnish language, 2002)
Finnish language
Published March 25, 2002
Da nach 170 Seiten immer noch nicht im geringsten klar war, worum es bei dieser Erzählung geht oder worauf sie hinauslaufen soll, beschloss ich, nicht mehr weiter zu lesen. Lügengeschichten ohne Pointe habe ich schon kompakter und spannender erlebt.
Hilpeä kertomus vuolassanaisesta veijarista, joka pääsee keisarin ottopojaksi ja sepittää historiaa todeksi minkä ehtii. Kasvutarinan jälkeen päästään vielä myyttiselle matkalle orienttiin ja ratkomaan yhtä suljetun huoneen kuolemantapaustakin. Kuten Econ kirjalta odottaa sopii, filosofian ja uskon kysymyksiä väännellään minkä ehditään ja monin paikoin sanailulle saa nauraa. Valitettavasti naishahmojen rooli kirjassa on lähinnä toimia statistina ja sitten kuolla pois, mistä jää vähän tympeä maku. Mutta muuten oikein mukavaa kohellusta keskiajan Euroopassa.
(I wrote this review in October 2003!) With all of the bizarre fiction present in the piles of Masonic books which have been published over the last three hundred years, it may seem strange that this book review recommends a piece of fiction to Masons which has absolutely nothing to do with Freemasonry. Umberto Eco's latest novel is a strange voyage through 12th century Europe. The book's title character is a peasant whose talents at learning languages and telling lies attract the attention of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, who adopts him. The book is a chronicle of Baudolino's life as told by himself. It begins as truths and minor tall tales which quickly spiral into a fantastic tale so unbelievable that the reader is left wondering if any of Baudolino's story has a grain of truth in it.
There are several reasons I believe this book would be …
(I wrote this review in October 2003!) With all of the bizarre fiction present in the piles of Masonic books which have been published over the last three hundred years, it may seem strange that this book review recommends a piece of fiction to Masons which has absolutely nothing to do with Freemasonry. Umberto Eco's latest novel is a strange voyage through 12th century Europe. The book's title character is a peasant whose talents at learning languages and telling lies attract the attention of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I, who adopts him. The book is a chronicle of Baudolino's life as told by himself. It begins as truths and minor tall tales which quickly spiral into a fantastic tale so unbelievable that the reader is left wondering if any of Baudolino's story has a grain of truth in it.
There are several reasons I believe this book would be of interest to Freemasons. First, the book is set during the height of the influence and power of the Knights Templar. Baudolino narrates his tale during the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, and the contrast between various characters' views and impressions of the Knights Templar is very interesting.
Second, Eco does a marvelous job capturing the mindset of a Medieval scholar. The manner in which Baudolino's lies, unconfirmed stories, and flawed logic blend together into a story that seems too strange to believe seems analogous to the fantastical legends of Freemasonry's origins as told in many of our older texts. For example, in the Constitutions of 1723 by the father of Masonic history, Bro. James D.D. Anderson, a history of Freemasonry is presented which dates our Fraternity back to Adam, Noah, and the exile of the Hebrews from Egypt. While this may seem implausible to us today, Bro. Anderson's history was taken seriously for more than a century. Baudolino shows us how this sort of thing could have been possible.
Beyond being a very enjoyable read, Baudolino encourages the reader to think about the connection between falsehood and history while immersing him in the mindset and world view of the people of the 12th century.
probably more fun for Umberto to write than for me to read
I thank the person who made me read this and await further recommendations (Yes, I know there's Jane Eyre, she's staring at me crossly from the book shelf. Her time will come.)
This was fascinating. I didn't quite enjoy the fantasy part in the second half (especially the Hypatia part) but the historical part made me understand the middle-ages a whole lot better than any studying I ever did. The obsession with symbols and the religious discussions remind me of fandoms today which makes me wonder what kind of religions we'll have in 500 years.
If in your life, you only read one book about the mythical kingdom of Prestor John, make it Catherynne Valente's "The Habitation of the Blessed" if after that you still have a yearning to search for that far-flung Christian kingdom (and also you enjoy long arguments regarding the existence of the vacuum), then read "Baudolino".
