Mengiste, Maaza

The Shadow King

New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2019. First Edition. Hardcover in Slipcase. Signed by Maza Mengiste. "A gripping novel set during Mussolini's 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, The Shadow King takes us back to the first real conflict of World War II, casting light on the women soldiers who were left out of the historical record." (from front flap) The acclaimed second novel by Maaza Mengiste (b. 1974), the award-winning Ethiopian-American novelist & prolific essayist. This epic-yet-granular historical novel was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize, & tells the story of a brave young group of clandestine women warriors who resisted Mussolini's invasion & occupation of Ethiopia beginning in the mid-1930s, as Emperor Haile Selassie retreated into exile. The story is told mostly through the main character Hirut, a humble orphan who initially finds shelter as a maid in the home of an Imperial Army officer, as the storm gathers. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first edition as stated on copyright page, first printing as indicated by number sequence thereon. On the title page, below & slightly intruding onto her printed name & publisher's logo, Mengiste has hand-written her signature in bold black ink. Housed in a handsome slipcase. A beautiful production, a classic-in-the-making & an instant rarity; a most profound & rewarding historical yarn with resonant significance to our time. Book in very fine condition with only one tiny area of scratching at lower edge of text block near spine; otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only some very faint vertical scratches/creases at front cover (a probable miniscule flaw as issued); a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of front, back covers & spine. Slipcase fine with mild rubbing, a few tiny bumps & scratches to outer surfaces esp. blank pink rear panel. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #5475]

Price: $75.00