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A review by pink_alex
The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Mussolini‘s army invaded Ethiopia in 1935. With his army came the Jewish soldier and photographer Ettore documenting the war and facing his own heritage.
But the story isn’t really about him. It’s more about Hirut, a servant turned soldier in the Ethiopian army. She symbolizes the unnamed and often unknown women who fought alongside men in this war defending her home country. It shows what she had to give up and to endure to be free(er).
I really liked the idea behind the story and think it is very important to learn more about the role of women in history. Still, I just couldn’t get into the story. Maybe the writing style wasn’t for me, maybe it just wasn’t the right time. This one wasn’t for me.
But the story isn’t really about him. It’s more about Hirut, a servant turned soldier in the Ethiopian army. She symbolizes the unnamed and often unknown women who fought alongside men in this war defending her home country. It shows what she had to give up and to endure to be free(er).
I really liked the idea behind the story and think it is very important to learn more about the role of women in history. Still, I just couldn’t get into the story. Maybe the writing style wasn’t for me, maybe it just wasn’t the right time. This one wasn’t for me.