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A review by franalibi
The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste
3.0
Firstly I’d like to say the reason why I gave this book three stars is that in the past week, my mental state hasn’t been the best, so trying to read this book was a struggle - my concentration was the worst so half the time I didn’t know what was going on!
Upon reflection, this book shone a light on a world event that I’ve not seen any other material. Set in Ethiopia in 1935, Mussolini’s army is invading the country. Following a whole host of characters (the main person being Hirut, a recently orphaned girl who is a maid to Kidane - an officer in Emperor Haile Selassie’s army), this tale shows how a country felt overcome by an army that had more advanced weaponry (planes). And how women played a part in helping the Ethiopian army to fight off the Italians.
Despite telling stories from male view points, the key message of this book is of how female strength is sometimes overlooked. But it make the difference between losing and winning a war.
I’m definitely going to put this book by and read it again another time, as it deserves my full attention when my head is in the right place.
Upon reflection, this book shone a light on a world event that I’ve not seen any other material. Set in Ethiopia in 1935, Mussolini’s army is invading the country. Following a whole host of characters (the main person being Hirut, a recently orphaned girl who is a maid to Kidane - an officer in Emperor Haile Selassie’s army), this tale shows how a country felt overcome by an army that had more advanced weaponry (planes). And how women played a part in helping the Ethiopian army to fight off the Italians.
Despite telling stories from male view points, the key message of this book is of how female strength is sometimes overlooked. But it make the difference between losing and winning a war.
I’m definitely going to put this book by and read it again another time, as it deserves my full attention when my head is in the right place.