When Mussolini decides to colonize Ethiopia, Kidane rouses men from nearby villages to fight against the Italian armies. With scarce resources and old fashioned weapons, they are hardly a threat to Italy’s modern machinery, including mustard gas. Ethiopians are disheartened when every family suffers losses and their leader, Haile Selassie, secretly absconds from the country. But when Hirut notices one of the soldiers resembles their king, Kidane dresses him as Selassie and rouses Ethiopians to fight again.
A harrowing story revealing the cruelty and greed of the Italians during Ethiopia’s fight to govern their own country. There are few likeable characters, but it is a gripping and important narrative.
