The Library Mule of Cordoba
A whimsical adventure through history and knowledge preservation
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Ablaze, LLC
Published:17th Sep '24
Should be back in stock very soon
In a race against time, Tarid and his unlikely companions embark on a perilous journey to save the books of Cordoba in The Library Mule of Cordoba.
In The Library Mule of Cordoba, readers are transported to the Caliphate of Al-Andalus, Spain, in the year 976, a time marked by peace, culture, and intellectual advancement. Under the leadership of Caliph Abd al-Rahman III and his son al-Hakam II, the city of Cordoba flourished as the Western capital of learning. However, the untimely death of al-Hakam II leaves a ten-year-old heir and a power vacuum that is quickly exploited by a scheming vizier named Amir. As Amir seeks to consolidate power, radical clergymen threaten the very foundation of knowledge by demanding the destruction of the Caliphate's vast library, home to 400,000 invaluable texts.
As the ominous bonfire looms, the head librarian, a rotund eunuch named Tarid, takes it upon himself to save the precious books. With a sense of urgency, he loads as many volumes as he can onto the back of a seemingly hapless mule. Joined by a young copyist and a former apprentice turned vagabond, Tarid embarks on a frantic quest across Spain, all while being pursued by mercenaries intent on thwarting their mission.
The Library Mule of Cordoba is a whimsical yet poignant tale that explores themes of knowledge preservation, friendship, and the lengths one will go to protect what is valuable. The adventure unfolds with humor and heart, highlighting the importance of literature and learning in a time of turmoil.
"Although this tale is set far in the past, the themes, including censorship, book banning, book burning, and intellectual freedom, are unfortunately still relevant in today’s world. The lighthearted humor woven through the story helps readers unpack these difficult issues, while offering hope to those who aim to protect and cultivate education." - School Library Journal
"Although this tale is set far in the past, the themes, including censorship, book banning, book burning, and intellectual freedom, are unfortunately still relevant in today’s world. The lighthearted humor woven through the story helps readers unpack these difficult issues, while offering hope to those who aim to protect and cultivate education." - School Library Journal
"The Library Mule of Cordoba was great fun to read while also keeping at its heart the issue of preserving books and knowledge, often victim to radicals and dictators, and consequently lost forever." - LIterary Potpourri
"The Library Mule of Cordoba was great fun to read while also keeping at its heart the issue of preserving books and knowledge, often victim to radicals and dictators, and consequently lost forever." - LIterary Potpourri
"Gorgeously illustrated in colors that bring alive the majesty and danger of Andalusia’s golden age, The Library Mule of Córdoba makes a powerful statement on the importance of protecting knowledge in times of political upheaval." - Booklist
"Gorgeously illustrated in colors that bring alive the majesty and danger of Andalusia’s golden age, The Library Mule of Córdoba makes a powerful statement on the importance of protecting knowledge in times of political upheaval." - Booklist
ISBN: 9781684972791
Dimensions: 254mm x 178mm x 25mm
Weight: 839g
272 pages