The Red Monk of Roha

De: Anthony Nana Kwamu

Narrado por: Atta Otigba

Inspired by actual events.

Betrayed and left for dead, a soldier in 13th-century East Africa winds up in hiding as a monk in Roha (Lalibela). He soon gets romantically entangled with a wealthy heiress as he struggles to maintain his monastic vows. However, when old enemies resurface and threaten those he has come to care for, he secretly picks up the sword again, offering salvation by day with the Bible, but secretly exacting deadly vengeance and justice by night with the sword.

©2020 Anthony Nana Kwamu (P)2022 Anthony Nana Kwamu

Good classic story

I was hooked just a few chapters in. A classic revenge story with an incredibly satisfying ending I didn't quite expect. The text is a little clunky at times.

He did this.
"Dialogue." She spoke
"Retort!" He countered.

Not necessarily a bad thing, and I certainly couldn't do better. The narrator's voice was fluid and enjoyable to listen to.

Would recommend this book to anybody wanting a fun story to listen to and get some history while they're at it!

loved it

I loved this book and I'm so glad I found it!
The story is rich and beautiful, and sucked me right in. I'll definitely be following Anthony Nana Kwamu and reading whatever comes next ❤

fun story

I really enjoyed this story. Hearing it felt like watching a contemporary anime. More please!

Brilliant story well-told!

I was smitten by this story of love, faith, strength, and liberty. Wonderful characters who are very much human and yet tempered by their love of God and justice. Having visited the Ethiopian part of the church of the Holy Sepulcher and some of the monasteries mentioned in Egypt and Syria, this story really popped for me. I’ve always been impressed by the Ethiopians I’ve met, their food, customs and kind manner as well as the gift of coffee! All of these are present in this delightful story. Surprise ending as well. Thanks for writing this!

Not What I Expected

I bought this book on special based almost primarily on the good rating. I was very pleasantly surprised and would recommend to anyone

Not my cup of tea, but . . .

Seldom do I stick with stories full of fighting and killing, but this story is worth putting up with the “action scenes.” The history of the Christian church in Ethiopia is very well told. It fills in a missing narrative about the longevity of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in an isolated part of the world. I had seen pictures and videos of the churches built underground and on atop inaccessible mountains, but this story puts them into context and adds a crucial ingredient - the people who built them and worshipped in them. Five stars for weaving an important and all-but-forgotten history into a plausible story.

I never knew

What a great story, and a delight to learn of the rich history of the Church in Ethiopia! Thank you Mr Kwamu.

Classic good vs evil story

I really enjoyed this story that I got on a daily deal. It is a story of 13th century Christian Ethiopia, which is resisting the Muslin advance in Africa. A Christian soldier, who serves the same lord who destroyed his father, is himself betrayed and left for dead. After surviving, the soldier hides in a monastery and begins studying to become a monk. Observing the evil being done to ordinary people by the lord’s men, the soldier uses his sword to defend others from the lord’s thugs.

The book taught me much about Ethiopian history and Christianity’s influence in the country.

I ended up liking the book!

I picked this up through an audible daily deal and found that I actually liked the book in spite of the religious tangent (mostly at the beginning). I learned a lot about Ethiopia and it's storied past. I even had to reevaluate my beliefs on the morality of modern day missionaries... But I truly wasn't really vested until the, oh say last third of the novel when the Red Monk decides to finally take action...

Very Satisfying!

Excellent story! I was hooked from the beginning. The narrator had a great voice and was easily able to identify the different characters.