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The Lure of the Honey Bird
£10.99
The Lure of the Honey Bird—The Storytellers of Ethiopia
From a near-arrest for murder to an audience with Haile Selassie: a remarkable journey through Ethiopia's stories.
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About the Ebook
In 1967, at the age of 23, Elizabeth Laird set off for Addis Ababa to take up her first teaching post. She was introduced to Haile Selassie, made a pilgrimage across the mountains on foot to the ancient city of Lalibela, hitched a ride on an oil tanker across the Danakil Desert, and was arrested for a murder she had not committed. Back in Britain, Laird established herself as a major author of fiction for children and young adults, but she always wanted to return to Ethiopia. Her chance came in the late 1990s, when the British Council in Addis Ababa invited her to collect folk stories from every region of the country. Encountering ex-guerrilla fighters, camel traders, Coptic nuns and tribespeople en route, Laird has written a remarkable account of her journey interwoven with a treasure trove of stories featuring princes and maidens, snakes and lions, zombies and hyena-women.Why You'll Love This Ebook
- A stunning memoir from bestselling, award-winning author Elizabeth Laird
- Collects folk tales gathered from every region of Ethiopia
- Encounters ex-guerrilla fighters, camel traders, Coptic nuns and storytellers
- Read another celebrated title from Polygon - an imprint of Birlinn Ltd
Reviews
'Laird's knowledge of Ethiopia is astounding and accurate... she writes with an empathy many others lack.' The List
'A lovely meander through Ethiopia's oral tradition.' Independent on Sunday
'I was mesmerized throughout with her vivid and insightful descriptions... It is a fascinating read.' American Peace Corps newspaper, the Herald
About the Author
Elizabeth Laird was born in New Zealand in 1943, the fourth of five children. In 1945, Laird and her family returned to Britain and she grew up in South London, where she was educated at Croydon High School. After attending the university in Bristol, Laird began teaching English in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She and a friend would hire mules and go into remote areas in the holidays. Laird has also visited Iraq and Lebanon. She claims to dislike snakes, porridge and being cold but enjoys very dark chocolate, Mozart, reading and playing the violin in the Iraq Symphony Orchestra. She and her husband currently divide their time between London and Edinburgh.Publication Details
Publisher: Polygon (an imprint of Birlinn Ltd)
Publication Date: 01 August 2013
Print Length: 357 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9780857905819
Format: Ebook
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