Beneath the Lion's Gaze

Beneath the Lion's Gaze is a 2010 novel by Ethiopian-American writer Maaza Mengiste. It describes a family in Addis Ababa in 1974, living through the transition from emperor Haile Selassie to rule by the Derg. Favorably reviewed, Beneath the Lion's Gaze was a nominee for several prizes.

Beneath the Lion's Gaze
First edition (US)
AuthorMaaza Mengiste
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Set inAddis Ababa
PublishedJanuary 2010
PublisherW. W. Norton & Company (US)
Jonathan Cape (UK)
Pages308
ISBN978-0-393-07176-4
Websitehttp://books.wwnorton.com/books/Beneath-the-Lions-Gaze/

Plot

Beneath the Lion's Gaze is set in Addis Ababa in 1974, at the end of the rule of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and the beginning of the military junta replacing Selassie's rule, the Derg.[1] It follows the family of a doctor, his dying wife and their two sons through the political upheaval.[2]

Reception

Writing in The New York Times, Lorraine Adams says, "Mengiste understands well the unique position her country occupies in Africa’s postcolonial landscape. And her uncanny rendition of Selassie’s last moments reveals her sensitivity to the twisted singularity of his magnetism."[3] In The Guardian, Pushpinder Khaneka named it to a list of best books about Ethiopia, saying, "This compassionate, tightly woven tale immediately draws the reader into its unfurling domestic and political drama. It’s an impressive literary debut."[4] In The New Yorker, Francesca Mari said, "The real marvel of this tender novel is its coiled plotting, in which coincidence manages to evoke the colossal emotional toll of the revolution."[5]

Awards

References
  1. "In Ethiopia, A Monarch Falls In 'The Lion's Gaze'". NPR. February 13, 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  2. Strawn, John (March 6, 2010). "Fiction review: 'Beneath the Lion's Gaze' by Maaza Mengiste". The Oregonian. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  3. Adams, Lorraine (3 January 2010). "Battle Scars". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  4. Khaneka, Pushpinder (1 May 2015). "The best books on Ethiopia: start your reading here". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. Mari, Francesca (February 8, 2010). "Beneath the Lion's Gaze". The New Yorker. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  6. "2010 Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize Winner". centerforfiction.org. The Center for Fiction. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  7. "Dayton Literary Peace Prize - 2011 Award Finalists". www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org. Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  8. "ABA Announces Finalists for Indies Choice and E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards". www.bookweb.org. American Booksellers Association. March 2, 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
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