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  • The Monk of Mokha

  • Written by: Dave Eggers
  • Narrated by: Dion Graham
  • Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

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The Monk of Mokha

Written by: Dave Eggers
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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Publisher's Summary

From the best-selling author of The Circle, the true story of a young Yemeni-American man, raised in San Francisco, who dreams of resurrecting the ancient art of Yemeni coffee but finds himself trapped in Sana'a by civil war, and his riveting tale of escape.

Mokhtar Alkhanshali grew up in San Francisco, one of seven siblings raised by Yemeni immigrants in a tiny apartment. At age 24, unable to pay for college, he works as a doorman. Until: a statue of an Arab raising a cup of coffee awakens something in him. He sets out to learn the rich history of coffee in Yemen and the complex art of tasting and identifying varietals. He travels to Yemen, collects samples of beans, eager to bring improved cultivation methods to the farmers. And he is on the verge of success when civil war engulfs Yemen in 2015 and he is trapped in Sana'a.

Desperate to escape, he embarks on a passage that has him twice kidnapped at gunpoint, dodging US-made bombs dropped by the Saudi air force, and crossing the Red Sea onboard an unsafe skiff, all the while carrying two suitcases of coffee. A heart-pounding true story that weaves together the history of coffee, the ongoing Yemeni civil war, and the courageous journey of a young man - a Muslim and a US citizen - following the most American of dreams.

©2018 Dave Eggers (P)2018 Random House Audio

What the critics say

"Dion Graham narrates this stirring audiobook splendidly. His narration shapes the mind and spirit of Mokhtar Alkhanshali.... Listeners will be rapt." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Monk of Mokha

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful expression of grit.

How determination and cooperation can overcome extreme prejudice in a part of the world we hear to little about.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

great listen

A neat story, well narrated and interesting. Dave Eggers is always a winner, and Mokhtar's journey, along with the background on coffee, makes this worth your while.

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  • Overall
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  • GL5
  • 2020-08-06

touching

Gives perspective on areas where wars rage and one might think that nothing good can come of it. Would probably make s good movie. Great tool to understand where our coffee, taken for granted, originate from and the efforts taken to bring it to your cup.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, rich with details

Coffee lovers will enjoy curling up with this amazing story. It paints a vivid picture of the origins of coffee, shines a light on the conditions of the workers & makes u appreciate your arabica ever so much.

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