We Are All Birds of Uganda
Author: Hafsa Zayyan
Published by: Merky Books
Pages: 369
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: Merky Books
Pages: 369
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
1960s UGANDA. Hasan is struggling to run his family business following the sudden death of his wife. Just as he begins to see a way forward, a new regime seizes power, and a wave of rising prejudice threatens to sweep away everything he has built.
Present-day LONDON. Sameer, a young high-flying lawyer, senses an emptiness in what he thought was the life of his dreams. Called back to his family home by an unexpected tragedy, Sameer begins to find the missing pieces of himself not in his future plans, but in a past he never knew.
Present-day LONDON. Sameer, a young high-flying lawyer, senses an emptiness in what he thought was the life of his dreams. Called back to his family home by an unexpected tragedy, Sameer begins to find the missing pieces of himself not in his future plans, but in a past he never knew.
My thoughts:
We Are All Birds of Uganda is a touching and thoughtful novel that explores racial tensions, generational divides and what it means to truly belong.
The book is split into two largely alternating sections. We follow two different points of view. The first is Sameer, a high-flying lawyer in London who despite having a successful career, chooses to quit and depart on a journey of self-discovery and purpose. Sameer's relentless search for purpose along with his continuous attempts at piecing together fragments of his identity are heartfelt and admirable.
I immediately warmed to his character and was intrigued by his story as we see his life bregin to unravel as he becomes disenchanted with his City career and lifestyle. Sameer has been presented with the opportunity to set up a new branch of the law firm he works for, in Singapore. He knows his parents won’t be happy about it, they’re still expecting him to return to the family flock in Leicester, to work in the family business. Sameer, however, sees Singapore as a step up in his career, maybe even a partnership if it all goes well, and working in his family’s business is the last thing he wants. However, before he goes to Singapore, he decides to take a trip to Uganda, to visit a family friend, and it’s during this trip that he uncovers his family’s past.
The second is Hasan's point of view, which is told entirely in letter form, as he lays bare his most inner thoughts, feelings and truths in writing to his deceased wife, Amira. As difficult as they were to get through, I enjoyed reading Hasan’s chapters. His letters were historical anecdotes, painting a clear picture of turbulent Uganda’s past. Through Hafsa Zayyan’s beautiful writing, we witness Hasan’s feelings of despair and desperation. As the head of his family, he has responsibilities and when expelled from Uganda during the period of Amin he struggles to settle in Leicester.
Although I appreciated the two different timelines and perspectives, I did find myself more drawn to Sameer's perspective most of the time. As readers, we are really able to get into Sameer's head and share his stress, anxieties and indecision. The most prominent theme was Sameer's reoccurring battle with identity and belonging, which was my favourite thing about this book. I think his struggle was presented and concluded really well.
We Are All Birds of Uganda is a sensitive exploration of racism, family identity and faith across a range of cultures and generations. It is a very thought-provoking and touching read - one I know I will remember for a long time. Congratulations to Hasfa Zayyan on this stunning debut novel. And thank you once again to Tandem Collective for sending me out a copy to read and review.
Overall reaction:
We Are All Birds of Uganda is a touching and thoughtful novel that explores racial tensions, generational divides and what it means to truly belong.
The book is split into two largely alternating sections. We follow two different points of view. The first is Sameer, a high-flying lawyer in London who despite having a successful career, chooses to quit and depart on a journey of self-discovery and purpose. Sameer's relentless search for purpose along with his continuous attempts at piecing together fragments of his identity are heartfelt and admirable.
I immediately warmed to his character and was intrigued by his story as we see his life bregin to unravel as he becomes disenchanted with his City career and lifestyle. Sameer has been presented with the opportunity to set up a new branch of the law firm he works for, in Singapore. He knows his parents won’t be happy about it, they’re still expecting him to return to the family flock in Leicester, to work in the family business. Sameer, however, sees Singapore as a step up in his career, maybe even a partnership if it all goes well, and working in his family’s business is the last thing he wants. However, before he goes to Singapore, he decides to take a trip to Uganda, to visit a family friend, and it’s during this trip that he uncovers his family’s past.
The second is Hasan's point of view, which is told entirely in letter form, as he lays bare his most inner thoughts, feelings and truths in writing to his deceased wife, Amira. As difficult as they were to get through, I enjoyed reading Hasan’s chapters. His letters were historical anecdotes, painting a clear picture of turbulent Uganda’s past. Through Hafsa Zayyan’s beautiful writing, we witness Hasan’s feelings of despair and desperation. As the head of his family, he has responsibilities and when expelled from Uganda during the period of Amin he struggles to settle in Leicester.
Although I appreciated the two different timelines and perspectives, I did find myself more drawn to Sameer's perspective most of the time. As readers, we are really able to get into Sameer's head and share his stress, anxieties and indecision. The most prominent theme was Sameer's reoccurring battle with identity and belonging, which was my favourite thing about this book. I think his struggle was presented and concluded really well.
We Are All Birds of Uganda is a sensitive exploration of racism, family identity and faith across a range of cultures and generations. It is a very thought-provoking and touching read - one I know I will remember for a long time. Congratulations to Hasfa Zayyan on this stunning debut novel. And thank you once again to Tandem Collective for sending me out a copy to read and review.
Overall reaction:
