THE SHADOW KING

428pp., paperback, Edinburgh, (2019) 2020

A novel set during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, about women inspired to take up arms.

“With epic sweep and dignity, Mengiste has lifted this struggle into legend, along with the women who fought in it. Beautiful, horrifying, elegant and haunted, The Shadow King is a modern classic.” Andrew Sean Greer, author of Less

"The Shadow King is incredible. I’ve read nothing like it before. There is war, love, betrayal, history and the present day wrapped in the hearts and minds of complex characters. Maaza Mengiste rises as Toni Morrison rests. The baton has been passed and taken deftly." Lemn Sissay, author of My Name is Why

Maaza Mengiste was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A Fulbright Scholar and professor in the MFA in Creative Writing & Literary Translation programme at Queens College, she is the author of Beneath the Lion’s Gaze. She lives in New York City.