Book Summary
Written by Endalegeta Kebede, በዓሉ ግርማ ሕይወቱና ስራዎቹ (Bealu Girma – His Life and Works) is a deeply researched biography that explores the life, background, and powerful writings of Ethiopia’s legendary author Bealu Girma. The book starts with Bealu’s early years — his place of birth, childhood experiences, and the story behind his Indian father. It also covers how he was separated from his mother, moved to Addis Ababa, and took the name of his stepfather Girma. Readers follow his journey through school, from elementary to university.
Endalegeta does more than just tell Bealu’s life story — he digs deep into the characters and messages in Bealu's novels, giving special focus to his most famous work, Oromay. The book also gives rich detail about Bealu’s friendships, his views, and his political involvement during both Emperor Haile Selassie’s time and the Derg regime. It is both a biography and a thoughtful literary analysis that shines light on Bealu’s impact on Ethiopian literature and society.
This book is a must-read for anyone curious about Bealu Girma, his powerful books, and the world he lived in. Originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024, it stands as one of the most complete works about Bealu Girma’s life and legacy. Whether you're a fan of Ethiopian literature or looking to learn about one of the country's greatest writers, this book is an excellent choice.
