Umberto Eco's fourth novel, *Baudolino*, has been published by Open Books, translated by Lee Hyun-kyung. This work, which shook the European publishing world immediately upon its release, unfolds a tumultuous adventure of the protagonist, Baudolino, set against the backdrop of the Middle Ages—including the Crusades and the Fall of Constantinople—where medieval figures and events are interwoven with fantasy elements. Rising to the number one spot on the European bestseller list immediately upon

Umberto Eco, one of the most influential thinkers of our time, is also one of my favorite authors. With encyclopedic knowledge and a rich imagination regarding history, he uses a crude writing style reminiscent of medieval peasants and Parisian thieves to traverse the line between historical fact and fiction regarding medieval history and culture. His erudite content captivated me so deeply that I could not put the book down. The story is set in the burning Constantinople, the magnificent

History, formed by the convergence of individual lives, is naturally bound to have a close connection. Umberto Eco writes this book in the form of a historical record, weaving the life of a man named Baudolino and the history of 12th-century Europe through his testimonies into warp and weft threads. In this book, the history of Emperor Frederick I and his surroundings—as recounted by Baudolino upon his meeting with Niketas in Constantinople—is masterfully crafted as faction. The level of

This story is a grand epic that traverses medieval history, culture, and mythology, set against the backdrop of the burning Constantinople, the magnificent capital of the Byzantine Empire occupied by the Fourth Crusade. Eco stated that if *The Name of the Rose* is a "novel for the cultured reader," *Baudolino* is a "novel for the masses." However, it seems unlikely that many people actually read this novel easily. Even if one did read it easily, it would likely have been difficult to fully

"The Last Story" means it is the last book I read... The difficulty level is like *The Name of the Rose*? Anyway, it is on the easier side... But I don't remember anything about it... I don't even remember when I read it... One thing is certain... I definitely read it at the BOQ in Building E of Boramae... One thing is that this book features a journey into a legendary world that is uncharacteristic of Eco... I think the author, or someone else, took issue with that part... but perhaps due to

It seems unlikely that any reader would have found this book easy. Could it be described as the bizarre antics of a medieval con artist who mocked the times while posing as the Emperor's son? Filled with countless incidents and happenings, this book could, in a sense, be considered a historical record. However, as the book itself states, the protagonist never explains his actions. If one were to question his justification, the novel would end there. Interpreting the protagonist is left to us.

Author: Umberto Eco Translator: Lee Hyun-kyung Bibliography: Open Books, 2002 It is very delightful. Although it was boring up until the middle of the first volume, Eco's humor and parody truly shine once the story shifts to the legend of Father John and the Holy Grail. I was particularly drawn to the parts where Deacon John is introduced instead of Father John, and where the faith disputes between the various Christian factions taking place in that land are highlighted. The scene where

It has already been a month since I finished this book and slammed it shut on the very last page. Now that I am finally trying to write a review, my memory feels a bit hazy. This isn't because I wasn't paying attention, but because the story features far too many characters and is a rambling mix of various historical facts. However! Thanks to a solid structure where the sounds of the characters meshing together are almost audible (it wouldn't be an exaggeration at all to mistake them for actual