An immersive read that just did not let up! Since reading and enjoying Jennifer Makumbi’s Manchester Happened I have had a huge fascination with Ugandan history and culture, which is why I picked up this book because I wanted to learn more. We Are All Birds Of Uganda goes back and forth between 1960s Uganda and present day London. I am always a fan of stories being told in from different perspectives, especially when it is done in a way that we find out more about a family saga or history of a culture. It is the 1960s in Uganda and things are changing fast. Hasan is the owner of multiple businesses, things are going great but he continues to struggle with the death of his wife. Even married to his second wife and having numerous children, he still cannot shake the death of his first wife. Added to this the new regime is in power and his business and family life gets shaken to the core. Fast forward to present day London, we meet a descendant of Hasan, Sameer, who is young lawyer at the top of his game. He is comfortable, financially stable, lives in the perfect apartment and just landed the opportunity of a lifetime but everything gets shaken to the core when he receives news about his childhood friend. That leads him to quest what life is about, where he should be, what his focus is. He takes a trip Uganda and everything falls into place… or falls apart depending on how you look at it. If you want to know about Uganda and what took place when the regime gained power, I highly recommend you read this book. I think the author did a great job of showcasing the fear of what it is like living during the time of great upheaval. I particularly loved reading about present day Sameer, it was sad (but also realistic) that some of the racism his father faced, he ended facing was well.. years later. Honestly, this is a great commentary on race, religion, history, love and family. Please give this one a read. |
