Beneath the Lion's Gaze by Maaza Mengiste

Beneath the Lion's Gaze

Maaza Mengiste

308 pages • first pub 2010 (editions)

fiction historical dark emotional sad medium-paced

Description

This memorable, heartbreaking story opens in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1974, on the eve of a revolution. Yonas kneels in his mother's prayer room, pleading to his god for an end to the violence that has wracked his family and country. His father, Hai...

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Community Reviews Summary of 228 reviews

Moods

emotional 78%
dark 75%
sad 75%
challenging 65%
tense 62%
informative 40%
reflective 18%
adventurous 3%

Pace

medium 70%
fast 16%
slow 13%

Plot- or character-driven?

A mix: 68% | Character: 27% | Plot: 4%

Strong character development?

Yes: 64% | It's complicated: 28% | No: 8%

Loveable characters?

It's complicated: 44% | Yes: 44% | No: 8% | N/A: 4%

Diverse cast of characters?

Yes: 78% | It's complicated: 13% | No: 8%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

Yes: 61% | It's complicated: 33% | No: 4%

Average rating

3.93

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Content Warnings

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