Author: Jose Saramago

I’ve always enjoyed books by this author and this is no exception. The style of writing was different from his other books; it read very much as if someone was telling you the story. Along with the story, there were lots of humorous asides from the writer to the reader.

The book is loosely based on actual facts. It is said that in the mid-1500’s and elephant and his mahout made a journey from Lisbon to Vienna; their escorts on this journey were officers of the king of Portugal and the Archduke of Austria. Of course Solomon and his mahout had already traveled from India to Portugal although the story doesn’t go that far back in time.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *