Love in the Land of Barefoot Soldiers: A Novel

by Frances Vieta

Can newfound love survive the ravages of modern warfare in the land of the Queen of Sheba?

Twenty-something Ceseli Larson is mourning the recent death of her cherished father. His passing comes as she prepares to undertake a planned but harrowing expedition to the lost ruins of Axum. Axum, capital of an ancient kingdom and the possible resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, was also once the famous home of the Queen of Sheba. Ceseli hopes to uncover its long-forgotten archaeological mysteries.

What she does not count on, though, is that Benito Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia looms on the horizon, about to be unleashed, sending an already dangerous journey into chaos. Nor does she expect the feeling she discovers for a young Italian doctor, nor the romance that blossoms between them.

Love in the Land of Barefoot Soldiers is a sweeping tale of romance and war, as Ceseli is caught between the movements of empires and her growing love for a member of the invading army. History and the destruction of the modern era collide in this exciting drama.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2015

Reviews

[Hannah Donaldson · Rating 2 out of 5]

very interesting that this story is based on a true, historical, and important event, but this book desperately needed a different editor 😢

[Thereadingbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young American woman named Ceseli Larson from New York is writing a thesis for her college. She studies archaeology, and her subject is the earliest writings of Christianity, the beliefs and monuments of the Copts who lived in what is now Ethiopia. Her uncle works as the American Minister to Ethiopia, living in Addis Ababa. The book opens as she travels to join him, hoping to live in the American compound and visit archaeological sites.

The year is 1935. What she sees in her trip to Africa is a combination of the new and the old: heat and flies, blaring light, smells of sweat and urine, and an express train with a large entourage of well-armed men. 1935 is a time of intense historical conflict. Britain, France, and Italy have carved out protectorates in or adjoining Ethiopia; the country is still ruled by its emperor Haile Sallassie, but it is under intense pressure.

Ceseli needs permission from the emperor to visit ancient sites that associate with Christianity. Ceseli meets a young Italian doctor who's name is Marco. She is suspect of him because of the time period which is WWII and Italy was run by the fascists leader Mussolini. Her first impression is this doctor is a fascist. She finds out that he is not at all fascist he actually cares about healing the sick and wounded.

The story's title is true the soldiers fight barefoot. I really enjoyed this book.

[Vicki Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. If you are interested in Ethiopia, Africa, or WWII's impact on Africa, you'll enjoy this book. The plot is secondary to the amazing descriptions of Ethiopia, the Emperor, and that now lost age.

[John Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love in the Land of Barefoot Soldiers, by Frances Vieta, is fiction. However it is very well-informed and researched about the historical context. The characters are American, African, and Italian. A young American woman from New York is writing a thesis for her college. She studies archaeology, and her subject is the earliest writings of Christianity, the beliefs and monuments of the Copts who lived in what is now Ethiopia. Her uncle works as the American Minister to Ethiopia, living in Addis Ababa. The book opens as she travels to join him, hoping to live in the American compound and visit archaeological sites.
The year is 1935. What she sees in her trip to Africa is a combination of the very new and the very old: heat and flies, blaring light, smells of sweat and urine, and an express train with a large entourage of well-armed men. 1935 is a time of intense historical conflict. Britain, France, and Italy have carved out “protectorates” in or adjoining Ethiopia; the country is still ruled by its emperor Haile Sallassie, but it is under intense pressure. The narrative is organized to ask an important question: how can a very small country with an ancient culture survive if it is surrounded by larger aggressive countries? If they are clearly expansionist and possess modern war technology? The situation and focus of action is specific but it is also universal. The suspense about how it will play out is even contemporary.
As the novel develops, the emperor Haile Sallassie becomes a significant character. The young American woman requires the emperor’s permission to visit ancient sites associated with early Christianity, with Moses and the Ark of the Covenant. Soon she becomes an unwilling witness and participant in a cruel international war. Italy is ruled by Mussolini and his Fascist party; General Badoglio is about to be dispatched with an army to Ethiopia, their intention is to turn the ancient African country into an Italian colony. The Ethiopians, led by Haile Sallassie, have a strong sense of their ancient historic identity, and a spirit of resistance. The Italian army, however, has a new plan to use airplanes, and barrel bombs; it is only too willing to use mustard gas, and to pollute large tracts of African land.
The title of the novel, “Love in the Land of Barefoot Soldiers,” accurately describes the situation. Most Ethiopian soldiers are, indeed, barefoot. During her journey to Addis Ababa the young American woman meets a young Italian doctor, Marco, who becomes a major character in the novel. At the time, Mussolini was openly caricatured in the American press, and at first the American woman is suspicious of Marco, expecting the worst. She thinks: “Just my luck, an ardent young Fascist.” However, he has come to Africa to set up a hospital, and to give medical aid to the Ethiopians. He may be Italian but he is not a supporter of the projects of Mussolini and Badoglio.
She asks him what he thinks of Mussolini, and he replies, “Whether one likes it or not, he (Mussolini) is our elected leader and everyone in Italy is now a Fascist whether they want to be or not. My family is not Fascist. But that means very little.” It turns out the young doctor has been in Ethiopia for two years, and is devoted to his calling as a physician. A journalist asks him “Do you find it difficult to treat Ethiopians when we are facing the probability of war?” and Marco replies: “I’m a doctor. My duty is to heal. I’m not a politician and I have very little patience for politics. I’m trying to find a cure for malaria. If that happens, it will benefit both the Ethiopians and the Italians. Now if you’ll excuse me I’d like to spend the next few hours practicing English.”
The characterization in the novel is excellent. There are no clichés, and the major personalities are faced with sharp, unresolvable conflicts. These become increasingly acute when Badoglio and Italian troops invade the country. The suspense in the narrative mounts. Haile Sallassi and the Ethiopians are counting on support promised to them by the League of Nations, but this support turns out to be hollow-- in view of their lack of real commitment it is even hypocritical.
This gives the novel a very modern twist. In our contemporary world, many small nations are counting on support promised by a multinational organization against a heavily armed, openly threatening adversary. The League of Nations was based on a “Covenant” that guaranteed mutual defense; our contemporary NATO has its much discussed “Article 5.”
The question arises: Is history repeating itself?

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Vieta's protagonist is a strong young woman who embarks on a journey that would definitely be challenging for anyone in 1935. Ceseli Larson deals with them well.

Thank you GoodReads for the book.

[Margot Bogert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The background descriptions of Ethopia in the 19303 are graphic and the story moves right along.

[Robin F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book with deep knowledge of a country and a historical time people know little about.