The History of a Difficult Child

A Novel

By: Mihret Sibhat

Narrated by: Waceke Wambaa

WINNER OF THE HURSTON/WRIGHT LEGACY AWARD

“An endearing coming-of-age story. . . . Sharp and witty. . . . A wily and operatic novel. . . . Propulsive.” —The Washington Post

"The History of a Difficult Child is an extraordinary novel." —Maaza Mengiste, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of The Shadow King

“An exhilarating novel by a powerful new writer.” —Elif Batuman, author of Pulitzer-Prize finalist The Idiot and Either/Or

A breathtaking, tragicomic debut novel about the indomitable child of a scorned, formerly land-owning family who must grow up in the wake of Ethiopia’s socialist revolution

Wisecracking, inquisitive, and bombastic, Selam Asmelash is the youngest child in her large, boisterous family. Even before she is born, she has a wry, bewitching omniscience that animates life in her Small Town in southwestern Ethiopia in the 1980s. 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, neighborhood 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.

Told through the perspective of its charming and irresistible narrator, 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.

©2023 Mihret Sibhat (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“An endearing coming-of-age story set in post-revolutionary Ethiopia . . . Sharp and witty. . . . Like other child narrators — see Giovanna in Elena Ferrante’s “The Lying Life of Adults”; Esch in Jesmyn Ward’s “Salvage the Bones” — Selam is curious and obsessive about the truth. . . . Selam’s pressing queries guide Sibhat’s debut, a wily and operatic novel about a former aristocratic family’s adjustment to post-revolutionary Ethiopia. . . . The History of a Difficult Child spans decades, swinging between the past (before Selam) and the present with a casual and impressive ease. . . . [Sibhat] has built a portrait of Ethiopia’s history while giving us a compelling family drama anchored by a distinctive heroine. . . . Sibhat’s ability to find humor in even the darkest situations keeps The History of a Difficult Child nimble and propulsive.” —Lovia Gyarkye, The Washington Post

“Sibhat . . . has created a memorable character in Selam, who entertains us — and her family of siblings and extended relatives — with her smarts, humor and wily charm. . . . Sometimes heady, often rowdy . . . [the novel] delivers its message with humor and brio.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Sibhat’s vivid narrative is captivating, particularly for its emotional depth, even as some of the events she depicts are shocking. She has achieved any fiction writer’s first goal—transporting the reader into another world—and has set the bar high for what promises to be a brilliant career.” —Thane Tierney, BookPage (starred review)

Lacking in Ethiopian connection

Having lived in Ethiopia for 10 years between 1967 and 1995 (including during part of the time of this novel), I was hoping for more reference to the political and living situation of the period. While there were some references, I felt there could have been more to give the reader a feel for the difficulties of the time. I was very disappointed in the chosen narrator... her voice was pure East African, with the British overtones... not Ethiopian at all. I felt like I had stepped over the border (having lived in Uganda and Tanzania as well). Many of the words were mispronounced with accents on the wrong syllables. I chose this book because of the Ethiopian connection, but found it failed in that dimension.

Intriguingly Unusual

This is the most pleasant way to learn about history and humanity.Told mostly through the eyes and in the words of a child, life, death, love, anger, and joy find new definition. The curiosities and mysteries of her world are first described and later explained. The many-layered relationships with her many friends and family members come alive with humor along with apprehension and unease because of ever changing backdrop of political upheaval.

The narration is outstanding.

I hope to see more titles by this extraordinary author in Audible’s library.