´But in a revolutionary state that detains kindergartners, asking for common sense is like hoping for a mule to give birth´.
Inspired by her experience of growing up in socialist Ethiopia, The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat is a story of a society changing, seen through the eyes of a child. A difficult child, a girl who is the storyteller, the witness of a world who often is lacking any rationale.
From the permanent political oppression her family is witnessing, to the age-related troubles of her siblings and the disappearance of her mother, she is witnessing and interpreting things through her eyes and mind. Sometimes, even taking her own stance, as for instance when she is writing to the foreign radio stations her father is religiously listening to receive information about the situation within the country.
There is humour and grief, sickness and tragic journeys. Sometimes the voice feels too mature to belong to a child, some other times it shares innocent and genuine observations - how, for instance, about how some rebel group brought salty crackers to the places they´ve been to.
The ambiance - through names, places, foods and traditions, as well as the political turmoil - is very important for placing the story within a specific timeline and geography.
Reading this book I realized how much I want to read more about Ethiopia and its history, as well as getting to better know its people. Books do open such gates of curiosity and knowledge.
Rating: 3.5 stars
