Who Would Like This Book:
If you're drawn to overlooked histories and stories of resilience, this one shines. Maaza Mengiste brings to life the women warriors of Ethiopia's resistance against Italy’s 1935 invasion - stories rarely told in war fiction. The writing is richly poetic, layered with emotion and complex relationships, making it a treasure for fans of literary historical fiction. Lovers of epic tales, operatic in style, and readers curious about African history or gender in wartime will find much to admire. If you enjoyed works by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or appreciate novels that give voice to the voiceless, add this to your list.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This isn’t the breeziest read. The prose is lush, sometimes dense, and can be a bit much for those who prefer straightforward storytelling. Scenes of violence, especially sexual assault and brutality against children, are present and may be difficult for some readers. The book’s slow pace, fragmented structure, and heavy content won’t work for those looking for a swift, action-packed war novel or those sensitive to graphic depictions of suffering. Some found the characters hard to connect with or the plot hard to follow at times.
About:
The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste is a historical fiction novel set during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. The story focuses on the role of women in the conflict, particularly Hirut and Aster, as they fight against the Italian soldiers alongside Ethiopian rebels. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships, the brutality of war, and the resilience of the characters, offering a unique perspective on a lesser-known chapter of World War II history.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The novel contains graphic depictions of violence, war crimes, sexual assault, and extreme brutality, serving as important but distressing elements of the historical context.
Has Romance?
The romance in The Shadow King is present but not the primary focus; it is depicted amidst the backdrop of war and survival, reflecting the complexities of human relationships under duress.
From The Publisher:
Shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, and named a best book of the year by the New York Times, NPR, Elle, Time, and more, The Shadow King is an "unforgettable epic from an immensely talented author who's unafraid to take risks" (Michael Schaub, NPR).
Set during Mussolini's 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, The Shadow King takes us back to the first real conflict of World War II, casting light on the women soldiers who were left out of the historical record. At its heart is orphaned maid Hirut, who finds herself tumbling into a new world of thefts and violations, of betrayals and overwhelming rage. What follows is a heartrending and unputdownable exploration of what it means to be a woman at war.
Ratings (5)
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (26):
Read It (5) | |
Want To Read (16) | |
Not Interested (5) |
What can you read after
The Shadow King?
About the Author:
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Maaza Mengiste received a 2020 Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Also a Fulbright Scholar and a professor at Queens College, she is the author of The Shadow King and Beneath the Lion's Gaze, and a 2018 recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship. She lives in New York City.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
