Books like The Abyssinian by Jean-Christophe Rufin
"The Abyssinian" follows Jean‑Baptiste Poncet, a gifted apothecary chosen by the French consul to escort an 1699 expedition from Cairo through Egypt and Sinai to the court of Ethiopia’s Negus. Along the way Poncet confronts Jesuit intrigue, falls in love with the consul’s daughter, and treats the king for a mysterious skin ailment. The narrative blends historical detail with affection, humor, and a sense of discovery, suggesting that Poncet’s efforts helped preserve Ethiopia’s independence from foreign domination.
First publish date: 1999
Genre: History/Modern History
Authors: Jean-Christophe Rufin
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