We Are All Birds of Uganda

We Are All Birds of Uganda alternates between two narratives: a contemporary story about Sameer, a young British-Asian lawyer in London, and letters written in 1960s Uganda by his grandfather Hasan. Sameer faces career pressures and racial tensions in the UK while questioning his South Asian Muslim identity. The historical storyline, told through Hasan's letters, documents the expulsion of Ugandan Asians under Idi Amin's regime in 1972. This parallel narrative provides context for Sameer's family history and explores the immigrant experience across generations. The novel deals with displacement, belonging, and the complexities of maintaining cultural identity while assimilating into new societies. Through its dual timelines and focus on family legacies, the book examines how past events continue to shape present-day experiences of race, faith, and community.

Readers highlight the book's parallel storylines between 1960s Uganda and present-day London, praising how it explores identity, belonging, and intergenerational trauma. Many note the detailed portrayal of the Asian expulsion from Uganda and its lasting impact on families. Positive reviews mention: - Educational value about a lesser-known historical event - Complex family dynamics across generations - Cultural insights into both Ugandan and British Asian communities Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, particularly in the modern timeline - Some characters feel underdeveloped - Romance subplot seen as unnecessary by some readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (editorial rating) One reader on Goodreads notes: "The historical sections were compelling, but the contemporary story didn't hold the same weight." Another writes: "This book taught me about a part of history I knew nothing about, while telling a moving family story."

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📚 The novel interweaves two timelines: 1960s Uganda during the expulsion of Asian citizens, and present-day London, connecting the experiences of multiple generations. 🌍 Author Hafsa Zayyan won the inaugural #Merky Books New Writers' Prize, co-founded by Stormzy and Penguin Random House UK, while working full-time as a lawyer. 🏆 The book explores the historical exodus of South Asians from Uganda in 1972, when Idi Amin gave them 90 days to leave the country, forcing around 60,000 people to abandon their homes and businesses. ✍️ Zayyan wrote the novel during her daily commute to work, often writing on her phone while traveling on London's Underground. 🎭 The title comes from a Ugandan proverb that suggests all birds, regardless of their type, share the same sky - a metaphor for unity despite racial and cultural differences.