The Abyssinians

by Banna Desta, Danielle Deadwyler (Narrator), Phillip Brannon (Narrator)

Royal intrigue takes center stage in The Abyssinians, a gripping new audio drama starring Danielle Deadwyler (Till, The Piano Lesson) delivering a masterful performance as a cunning queen navigating treacherous political waters and scheming sons.
In the wake of King Ezana’s death, his brash widow Queen Yodit (Deadwyler) must decide which of her twin sons will ascend to the throne. Clashing beliefs about religion, duty, and the rights of a ruler collide in this unforgettable story about a royal house at a crossroads in history.

Set in the ancient Aksumite Kingdom of modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, this fresh take on historical drama is enhanced by an original Ethio-Jazz score and powerful performances from a full cast of award-winning actors. Experience the vibrant and influential African kingdom like never before in this immersive and electrifying Audible Original.

Directed by Shariffa Ali with sound design by Alex Trajano. Original music by DA Mekonnen and Andrew Orkin, featuring Kibrom Birhane.

Playwright Banna Desta was awarded a commission through the Audible Emerging Playwrights Fund, an initiative dedicated to developing innovative original plays driven by language and voice. As an Audible-commissioned playwright, she received funding and creative support to develop The Abyssinians

Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

©2024 Banna Desta (P)2024 AO Media LLC

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Africa

3 pages, Audible Audio

First published November 21, 2024

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful production, with a stellar cast, and I was fully immersed in it.

The King is dead, and his shrewd widow must choose which of their twin boys will succeed him.

I think you might see where issues may arise, but you may still be surprised...

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick listen with full cast!!

[Yogi Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and entertaining production. The story opens with the noble family making a mockery of the death of their king, their husband, their father. It appears he was respected and feared but not very much loved. The Queen mother is a selfish overlord who rules with spite and vindictiveness. I sense she holds some dark secret that has something to do with her sons and a servant.

A favorite son of the Queen meets a beautiful woman who is indentured into service of the kingdom. He is attracted to her beauty, intelligence and finds conversations with her extremely stimulating. He has fallen in love and wants a future with her. Will the politics of the kingdom prevent them from being together or will they be allowed the freedom to express their love for each other. The ending of this story is as happy as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

The sound effects and narration combined stimulated my visual imagination. It's strange but the story felt complete even though it was so very short. I would have liked a little more, but I didn't feel cheated or that the story was in any way incomplete.

[Shameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this production. All of the actors did an amazing job with their performances. The story itself was ok. The ending felt a bit rushed to me and I wish it was developed a bit more. Adding another 20-30 minutes of storytelling would have been perfect.

[Sherri Burrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great production and story!

[Taryn Moreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short audio production with a very talented cast of actors. It’s not often I hear a story set in a historical African kingdom.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done voice-acting, sound design, music - stayed interesting - but damn it got abruptly dark and twisty at the end.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick car ride listen 😊

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good, I sped my books up, and if you’re like me, you need to listen good, there were a lot of nuggets dropped in this book.

You’re a good man, not a great man, a wife will make you a great man! Okkkk

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is a 3
Production is a 4

Produced in full Dolby, with
excellent sound effects. this short novella production is beautifully executed.
the story is a bit thin with expected results.
Was I sorry that I spent the time on it? Not at all. Just had no memorable storyline or twist. It does explore the early introduction of Christianity in foreign cultures- curious to me how so many abandoned their native spiritual practices willingly.
And if that was done through fear and how much of it was done unwillingly through colonialism and the eurocentric view that ancient spiritual practices were savage, pagan and held no value. why do they think everybody needs to be saved? where's the love your neighbor as yourself, And how about just be curious, And give a little respect.

[Billye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Abyssinians by Banna Desta is a fantastic journey that grabs the listener and draws them in immediately. The acting performances and production value are outstanding. This work should be expanded in detail and then made into a limited series on a major streaming platform. The acting performances by Danielle Deadwyler, Phillip Brannon, André De Shields, Chukwudi Iwuji, Zainab Jah, Arsema Thomas are top notch. I highly recommend this adventure to anyone.

[Rich Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author writes of a kingdom with a Queen who's husband, the King, has died and she is going to choose which of her two sons will succeed her husband as King. Times are changing in the land as the King had brought Christianity into the country and also changed the economy. Very interesting characters and the narrators and music and effects are excellenct. Surprises all through this book.

[NubianJoí · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW 🤩 ‼️”The Abyssinians” was an excellent production! It was reminiscent of Moses, Cain & Able & King David biblical experiences. Nevertheless, even in the midst of ancient Royal civilization, generational jealousy was pervasive & a consuming enemy of this human experiment.

[Amelia Peniche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miniserie de Audible. ¿Quien será el nuevo rey de Abisinia? Poder, amor, odio en la corte de los Abisinios. ¿Cuál de los dos hijos será el mejor para ocupar el trono una vez que el rey a muerto? ¿A quien elegirá la Reyna madre?
Altamente recomendable.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Audible production! The casting was great and I almost felt like I could see it (the story) unfolding. Danielle Deadwyler is phenomenal. She gives voice to the Queen in this story and I loved every bit of it. Definitely would recommend if you have Audible.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story. The voice acting was amazing. I wasn’t sure where the story was going and didn’t expect the ending but it all fit. Some parts of the story felt incomplete but then I remembered it’s a play so reset my expectations. I think most people would enjoy it.

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great listen of a widow queen with the task of choosing which twin son will take the reign! Very intriguing.

[Kimyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal performance. Great story. Definitely left me wanting more. And needing more insight into the past.
Danielle Deadwyler's performance was Phenomenal!!!

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book via Audible & it was a great short listen. Full cast & Danielle absolutely delivered as the Queen.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, listened in one go!! Was fantastic I want more!!

[Erin Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

High 3. Great cast, far more interesting historical listen than the usual Audible listens.

[Will Arrington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voice acting was solid, story was meh.

[J. Robinson-Readersgottoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent voice acting!

Drama, Devotion, and Death

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whirlwind story! A must “listen” on audible!!!

[BH Gill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing and voice acting were okay, but this wasn't the book for me.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio. No idea what I listened to — this dramatized short story of backstabbing, misplaced love, a dead king, a calculating Queen and two princes.. who will be crowned king?

[Emily Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting listen lol

[ለምለም · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the least bit historically accurate but makes a good drama.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting! The title caught my attention right away.

[Michelle Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining full cast, quick listen