We Are All Birds of Uganda

Reviews

Emma's Biblio Treasures

That this feeling is still there so many years later shows how entrenched the mistrust and dislike of Asian traders was in Uganda. I was shocked and appalled as Hasan writes what is happening in his adopted home; my heart breaking for him as he is forced to leave all he loved and in fear for his life. "We Are All Birds of Uganda is a beautifully told story that follows Sameer, a twenty-something British lawyer whose family were amongst those expelled from Uganda under the rule of Idi Amin. The writing is beautiful and evokes so much emotion in an already passionate story.

Alice Ridge

This is a long review and if you’re not here for the ride let me just tell you this is an excellent 5 ⭐️ read! The author has drawn on her own background as British woman with Nigerian and Pakistani roots to explore these subjects which lends it a sense of authenticity and sensitivity. A stunning debut novel from Hafsa Zayyan following the story of a multigenerational family and their south Asian Ugandan migrant experience. Thanks to Merky Books Penguin UK Books the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Sameer is welcomed in the mosque in Uganda and his ultimate full embrace of Islam has to be partly thanks to that experience. But what is at the heart of this story is the search for one's identity; to learn who you are in your heart and soul.

Richly drawn, evocative, powerful and affecting, this is a wonderful debut from an author who is one to watch. For a book that deals with such deep themes whilst also being so educational I was surprised at how easy it was to read. "In a way, I suppose, we are all birds of Uganda. We learn about the threats and ultimate expulsion faced by Asians in a post-independence Uganda.

I also loved how religion was weaved through the story and how it brought different people together. Sameer’s career decisions are also entwined with a journey to find his identity as a child of a family who have faced twice migration and constant struggles trying to find their “place” in the world. I particularly enjoyed following Sameer’s journey of discovery as a young man torn between two cultures.