About the book
'Extraordinary' Maaza Mengiste
'Exhilarating' Elif Batuman
Selam is the youngest child in a large turbulent family. Even before she is born, her omniscience animates life in a Small Town in 1980s southwestern Ethiopia. Selam and her father listen to the radio in secret as the socialist military junta that recently overthrew the government seizes properties and wages civil war in the North. The Asmelashes, once an enterprising, land-owning family, are ostracized under the new regime. In the Small Town where they live, nosy women convene around coffee ceremonies multiple times a day, the gossip spreading like wildfire.
As Selam's mother, the powerful and relentlessly dignified Degitu, grows ill, she embraces a persecuted, Pentecostal God and insists her family convert alongside her. The Asmelashes stand solidly in opposition to the times, and Selam grows up seeking revenge on despotic comrades, neighbourhood bullies, and a ruthless God. Wise beyond her years yet thoroughly naive, she contends with an inner fury, a profound sadness, and a throbbing, unstoppable pursuit of education, freedom, and love.
The History of a Difficult Child is about what happens when mother, God, and country are at odds, and how one difficult child finds her voice.
Editions of History of a Difficult Child
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781784744373
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781784744380
- EBook
- ISBN 9781529921571
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781529926057
Read an Excerpt
'Extraordinary' Maaza Mengiste
'Exhilarating' Elif Batuman
Selam is the youngest child in a large turbulent family. Even before she is born, her omniscience animates life in a Small Town in 1980s southwestern Ethiopia. Selam and her father listen to the radio in secret as the socialist military junta that recently overthrew the government seizes properties and wages civil war in the North. The Asmelashes, once an enterprising, land-owning family, are ostracized under the new regime. In the Small Town where they live, nosy women convene around coffee ceremonies multiple times a day, the gossip spreading like wildfire.
As Selam's mother, the powerful and relentlessly dignified Degitu, grows ill, she embraces a persecuted, Pentecostal God and insists her family convert alongside her. The Asmelashes stand solidly in opposition to the times, and Selam grows up seeking revenge on despotic comrades, neighbourhood bullies, and a ruthless God. Wise beyond her years yet thoroughly naive, she contends with an inner fury, a profound sadness, and a throbbing, unstoppable pursuit of education, freedom, and love.
The History of a Difficult Child is about what happens when mother, God, and country are at odds, and how one difficult child finds her voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is History of a Difficult Child about?
'Extraordinary' Maaza Mengiste
'Exhilarating' Elif Batuman
Selam is the youngest child in a large turbulent family. Even before she is born, her omniscience animates life in a Small Town in 1980s southwestern Ethiopia. Selam and her father listen to the radio in secret as the socialist military junta that recently overthrew the government seizes properties and wages civil war in the North. The Asmelashes, once an enterprising, land-owning family, are ostracized under the new regime. In the Small Town where they live, nosy women convene around coffee ceremonies multiple times a day, the gossip spreading like wildfire.
As Selam's mother, the powerful and relentlessly dignified Degitu, grows ill, she embraces a persecuted, Pentecostal God and insists her family convert alongside her. The Asmelashes stand solidly in opposition to the times, and Selam grows up seeking revenge on despotic comrades, neighbourhood bullies, and a ruthless God. Wise beyond her years yet thoroughly naive, she contends with an inner fury, a profound sadness, and a throbbing, unstoppable pursuit of education, freedom, and love.
The History of a Difficult Child is about what happens when mother, God, and country are at odds, and how one difficult child finds her voice.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in History of a Difficult Child?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of History of a Difficult Child?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781784744373
Who is/are the Author/s of the book History of a Difficult Child?
Mihret Sibhat
Who is the Publisher of the book History of a Difficult Child?
Random House
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
History of a Difficult Child is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781784744373) and paperback(ISBN 9781784744380) and ebook(ISBN 9781529921571) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781529926057)
Where can I buy History of a Difficult Child online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy History of a Difficult Child?