La très catastrophique visite du zoo

Joël Dicker

Description

Mongolowie is a book of adventure and romance set in the late 12th century about two Polish cousins, Ignacy and Edzio, from the house of Andruszkowicz. The Andruszkowicz is one of the noblest families in eastern Poland. They are known for their exception fighting skills on horseback. The Andruszkowicz family is also known to have started the first Women's Warrior force, a fierce and exclusive fighting force of its time. They are perhaps more feared by the enemy than are the Polish men. They proved their abilities while fighting in the Holy Land during the First Crusade and later in 1410 at the Battle of Grunwald.

But, this story is not about women warriors or war, but a search for the unknown. Ignacy is 14 years of age, and like all Polish males, he is training to be a soldier. He has never had to go to war and living in Krakow. Edzio, his elder cousin, is 34 years old, a veteran of the Holy Wars and a former member of the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. He has fought in many battles and is a proven warrior. Ignacy is a dreamer and artist, eager for adventure beyond Poland. He convinces Edzio to go east in search of Khitai, or better known as Cathay, what we call China. This is a century before Marco Polo travels to the court of Kublai Khan. The stories of their ancestors, the great Krystof Andruszko who battled Bavarians traveling to Venice, knighted by the Doge, blessed by the Pope in Rome, and cursed by the Emperor of Constantinople, spur them on. Also, he is influenced by Sebastian Andruszko, known as the Red Devil of Poland, who defeated and captured two pirate ships and became the recipient of a vast fortune that will be referred to for centuries as 'Sebastian's Fortune'.

Ignacy and Edzio want to know what is at the end of their world and what discoveries and riches could be taken back home with them from their travels. The Duke of Poland, Mieszko III, sanctioned their venture. However, they had no idea how long this trip would take, how many lives and years it would cost. They suffer many hardships along the way. Perhaps the hardest sacrifice is for Ignacy to leave the love of his life behind him to continue their journey. Before Marco Polo's expedition, many adventurers tried to make this trip, and many suffered and died before they ever reached their goal. This is the story about their trials and rewards while testing their own inner strengths and their dedication to their honor and duty to the crown and family.

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