Reviews

Beneath the Lion's Gaze by Maaza Mengiste

blessing_aj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is incredibly soulful, deeply poetic and slowly paced, perhaps because Mengiste wanted the reader to see and feel every moment so that we can discover like the Ethiopians did in 1974, that we are collectively responsible for saving ourselves and if we fail, then we are all in for it.

This book was the first I ever read that highlights the role of Russia and Cuba in the military junta in Ethiopia in 1964, as well in the war between Ethiopia and Somalia and between Ethiopia and Eritrea. It messed with my emotions, a lot but she hit every mark and I am so glad I dared to read it again. 

massxcolie's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

2.0

Very important story but the timeline of events is mixed and hard to follow. 

esther_habs's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lola_yegon's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

bluishgreen12's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

hbelle01's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a heart wrenching, painful read. I have not read about this conflict, but this was a horrifying glimpse into people’s realities. Make sure you’re in the right headspace for this.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: War

Minor: Rape

lepasseportlitteraire's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

3.5

In this touching novel, we follow an Ethiopian family during the violent 70’a revolution. A family with their components so different from each other, but all affected by one tragic event after the other.

I found that it provides a well-balanced narrative, resulting in a book that is both historically informative and plot-driven.

However, while I enjoyed the reading and do recommend it, there were some aspects of the novel that bothered me and which are the reason this will not enter my best reads of this year.

First of all, the alternate POV is a little too quick to my taste, and I felt we do not get enough time with each character: I think it is one of that books that deserved to be longer. Moreover, many secondary characters deserved more space and their storylines were quickly explained and closed in just a couple of lines. Finally, I felt that the POV is mainly masculine, and the women in the story did not get as much storyteller time as the men. 

Still, it is a relevant book that will emotionally engage you, all in a historical setting that does not get much space in literature.

jules_25's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

roisinsreading's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ciikum's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars ⭐️ for me. This book is a slow burn, but one that history buffs like me will enjoy. This is a fictional account of the revolution that happened in Ethiopia in 1974, seen both in the microcosm of the country and one family, with different reactions between two brothers, their father and the wife of one them together with the neighbors. Our reactions in life can never be the same even with our closest kin and misunderstandings can happen from the point of not understanding where another is coming from.

There are more recommended readings by the author, that would bring more understanding and knowledge about Ethiopia. The country that fought off colonialists successfully and remains one of the uncolonized.