Winner of the 2024 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award, Trials of Hope tells the story of a shepherd boy turned human-rights academic set against the backdrop of the author’s beloved Ethiopia, and the family and friends he has left behind. In this profound and groundbreaking narrative, Ethiopian-born Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes weaves together stories of heritage and heartache. This unique memoir celebrates the beauty of Ethiopian culture while mourning its erosion – first under colonial forces, and later through internal conflict. Framing his work via the Ethiopian belief in the four elemental stages of human experience – water, fire, soil and wind – Yirga’s story celebrates and honours the voices that fight to preserve his culture. This is an essential exploration of the human condition, urging us to connect with a nation of people whose sagacity and spirit have endured through generations.
