The Shadow King (novel)
.png) First edition cover | |
| Author | Maaza Mengiste |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Set in | Ethiopia |
| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company |
Publication date | September 24, 2019 |
| Pages | 448 |
| ISBN | 978-0-393-08356-9 |
| OCLC | 1084322904 |
| 813/.6 | |
| LC Class | PS3613.E488 S53 2019 |
| Preceded by | Beneath the Lion's Gaze (2010) |
| Followed by | Addis Ababa Noir (2020) |
The Shadow King is a 2019 novel by Ethiopian-American writer Maaza Mengiste, published by W. W. Norton & Company on September 24, 2019.[1] It was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.[2]
The novel focuses on the Second Italo-Ethiopian War which resulted in the Ethiopians putting an end to Italian occupation.
Plot[edit]
In the year 1935, Hirut, a young woman orphaned and in servitude, faces challenges in her new life amidst the growing threat of an Italian invasion led by Mussolini in Ethiopia. When the conflict intensifies, she and other women are tasked with tending to the injured soldiers. As the situation becomes dire with Emperor Haile Selassie's exile and the nation's morale at stake, Hirut plays a pivotal role in a daring ruse: disguising a humble farmer as the emperor to reignite the spirit of resistance. Taking on the role of his protector, she galvanizes women to take up arms against the encroaching fascist forces. In this gripping and eloquently narrated saga, Hirut transcends her experiences of assault, brutality, and captivity, emerging as a beacon of determination in her nation's struggle for sovereignty and her personal quest for autonomy. Author Maaza Mengiste gives depth to a cast of intricate characters entrenched across the battlefronts, crafting a poignant narrative about the resilience of women against a formidable, technologically superior adversary. "The Shadow King" unfolds as a poignant and unforgettable journey into the experiences of women in combat, set during the outset of World War II—a testament to the enduring human spirit in the midst of warfare.
Reception[edit]
Namwali Serpell, writing for The New York Times, described the novel as 'lyrical' and 'remarkable'.[3]
Alex Clark, in The Guardian, described the novel as 'absorbing' and said that Mengiste's achievement was to "bring to life those women, and to depict them as dynamic entities".[4]
Film adaptation[edit]
In April 2020, it was announced that Kasi Lemmons would direct a film adaptation of The Shadow King.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Shadow King". W. W. Norton & Company. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "The Shadow King". Booker Prize. June 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Serpell, Namwali (27 September 2019). "Maaza Mengiste Sings a Modern Song of War". New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ Clark, Alex (18 January 2020). "The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste review – remembering Ethiopia's female soldiers". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ McNary, Dave (April 16, 2020). "'Harriet' Filmmaker Kasi Lemmons to Write, Direct World War II Drama 'The Shadow King'". Variety. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
 | This article about a historical novel of the 2020s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. See guidelines for writing about novels. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. |