A review by cj_spataro
The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This is a dark, challenging book - at least it was for me. I was very interested in reading about the Italian attempt to colonize Ethiopia and how the Ethiopians managed to defeat the Italians under Mussolini. The novel is told from several points of view - one of which is an Ethiopian female guard to the Shadow King (as Haile Selassie has fled), Hirut. The other is an Italian photographer, sent by the government to document the war. No one comes out of this unscathed and at times, for me, the violence was difficult to read about - especially the sexual violence. The book is beautifully written. The descriptions and evocations of place are masterful. 
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