Baudolino by Umberto Eco

Baudolino is a unique book for me. It’s a fantastic story about the quest for the Holy Grail wrapped around a murder mystery. That’s a great hook, but it is so much more. It’s a book narrated by Baudolino, a liar, who in weaving his web of lies, he reveals some truths about the human condition.

Baudolino was written by Umberto Eco in 2003 and to me, it’s best described as Forest Gump goes to the medieval ages. It’s a story of emperors squaring off against Popes with Italy being the chessboard. All the while, Baudolino mingles with the power brokers, telling tall tales to prevent the destruction of cities and inspire a new holy crusade.

As you can tell, it’s quite an epic story. It’s woven with both the gritty realism of medieval Europe intermixed with the fantastical beasts of imagination of the day.

It’s also my favorite book of all time.

The story

The book starts with Baudolino, the titular character, saving the famous medieval historian, Niketas Choniates, during the sack of Constantinople. Throughout the book, both Baudolino and Niketas work to escape the doomed city. During moments of calm, Baudolino tells his life story, and it is quite a tale.

Baudolino was raised in a shack in the woods of the Italian countryside. One day he meets a strange man on horseback who is lost in the fog. Baudolino brings the stranger back to his home where his family shelters the stranger from the elements.

Of course, this stranger is no ordinary person. He’s Frederick Barbarossa, King of Germany who would later become the Great Holy Roman Emperor.

Frederick is quite taken with Baudolino. Baudolino is an exceptional liar. In one lie, the boy describes being visited by Saint Baudolino, declaring victory for Frederick in a coming battle.

Frederick is no fool. He sees the usefulness of the boy. The king takes Baudolino to the soon-to-be battle so that Baudolino may share his prophecy with the priests. Baudolino plays the part to the hilt, even falling into a seizure before both armies. The soldiers are terrified of the sight of the collapsing boy. The battle is called off with allegiance sworn to Frederick.

Thus Frederick takes Baudolino back to his palace and raises him as his adoptive son. This leads Baudolino in a series of adventures that culminate in a quest to the famous mythical kingdom of Prester John and thus, the Holy Grail itself.

The greatest of liars

Baudolino is an epic liar. This is clear. Yet, Baudolino tells his story Niketas Choniates, a famous medieval historian who seeks truth in events. When Niketas confronts Baudolino about it, Baudolino happily agrees. He’s a liar, yet, he never uses his lies to hurt people. For Baudolino, his lies are his superpower. He uses them all for good or at least, so he claims. He is a liar after all.

When Baudolino joins Frederick’s court, he is taught how to read and write. He soon learns of Prester John – a priest who runs a fabled Christian kingdom lost to the ages. Baudolino’s beloved instructor, on his deathbed, asks Baudolino to seek out this priest. Baudolino keeps the promise. Yet first, Baudolino is sent to Paris for his education.

There Baudolino meets his companions. He meets a sad depressed soul named Abdul who searches for his lost love. This is a visionary woman who only exists in his drugged visions. Baudolino also befriends another man he simply calls The Poet. The Poet dreams of writing great poems but lacks all ability so Baudolino writes it for him. Along with several others, the small group determines to reach Prester John.

Eventually, Baudolino manages to acquire the “Holy Grail”. It’s a strange cup, made from a tree root. Baudolino claims to have taken it from a drunken Templar, returning from the Holy Land. The truth is quite bittersweet. Baudolino presents it to Frederick, convincing the Emperor to find Prester John and give the famous priest the artifact as a gift. By accepting the gift, the priest will legitimize Frederick as the one true ruler.

Frederick agrees and soon, Baudolino finds himself part of a new crusade of his own making. The great host arrives at the castle Ardzorouni. It’s a strange place, filled with all bizarre traps and creations.

There in the castle, a tragic event occurs. A central character is murdered in his room which appears to be the result of poison. The Holy Grail is stolen and the murder hangs over Baudolin’s friends. The group thinks they know the killer, but the truth has far greater implications than Baudolino and his friends can ever imagine.

The kingdom of Prester John

With the Holy Grail stolen, Baudolino figures the murderer is rushing the kingdom of Prester John. Baudolino and his seek out Prester John on their own in hopes of catching the killer. This is where the book switches from the gritty medieval life to the tales of the fantastic.

As they travel to the mythical kingdom, the band fights horrific monsters, crosses a river of moving stones, and even encounters a tribe of people who only exist in the dark.

Eventually, they arrive at the outskirts of the kingdom filled with strange creatures. There Baudolino learns of the followers of Hypatia, learns the philosophy of Gnostic Gospels, and manages to fall in love. Everything seems perfect until the tides of war catch up to them.

I won’t say what happens – but it’s a tale full of twists and turns that leads Baudolino to meet Niketas and ultimately, the meaning of truth.

The audiobook

The audiobook is narrated by George Guidall. Guidall is simply amazing. There are so many characters in this book that Guidall breathes to life. Guidall manages to give each of them a distinctive voice. It’s just incredible. I can skip to a certain place in the book, and I’ll have no doubts about who is speaking.

Also, his pronunciation of Italian and Latin is just on point. Mind you, I can’t say that it is accurate, but Guidall speaks with conviction and he just sounds authentic. His whole performance comes across as genuine and authoritative.

Guidall is one of those top-tier narrators who elevate the source material. He makes an already excellent book that much better. I actually own a hard copy of the book, but I can’t see myself reading it. I’d miss Guidall’s company.

Verdict

I’ve read a bunch of Umberto Eco books and I generally find his work very thoughtful but overly dense. While this book does have its moments (especially with the arguments of vacuum), it’s a brilliant story with a main character who just speaks to my heart.

I first read this book in 2003 and loved it. I recently read it again, almost twenty years later, and I didn’t think I’d be moved by it as I was. The last chapter almost brought tears. I didn’t want the story to end. I still don’t.

Verdict:

Just an amazing story of high adventure that explores the meaning of “truth” as well as the contours of the human heart. A beautiful tale of honesty told by a liar.

Baudolino at Amazon / Audible (affiliate link)