helen84's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
belinda_chisholm's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
otterlybookish's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
notasilkycat's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars.
It was a very interesting read indeed. The whole story of Asian Ugandans forced out of the country in 1971 is heartbreaking.
What prevented me from loving this book unconditionally is some rather soap opera vibes which I strongly disliked- I can’t stand this feeling I am emotionally manipulated- and an absolutely frustrating ending.
It was a very interesting read indeed. The whole story of Asian Ugandans forced out of the country in 1971 is heartbreaking.
What prevented me from loving this book unconditionally is some rather soap opera vibes which I strongly disliked- I can’t stand this feeling I am emotionally manipulated- and an absolutely frustrating ending.
halfbloodgee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
LOVED listening to this audiobook. Knocked off .5 because I didn't understand the ending :'(
stephjones71's review
4.0
Listened to the audio and it’s beautifully narrated. Very moving dual timeline and hadn’t appreciated the expulsion of the Indian Ugandans.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
melc's review
3.0
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARe-copy in exchange for this honest review.
This is a thought-provoking story following an Asian-Ugandan family now living in Britain following their exile in the 1970s. I warmed to the characters and engaged with both the present day and historical timelines of the book. The family dynamics were well portrayed and the relationships very vivid in the struggles they faced. The heartbreaking events that tore the family in Uganda apart were moving and I appreciated the way the generational experiences played out within the family.
This is a thought-provoking story following an Asian-Ugandan family now living in Britain following their exile in the 1970s. I warmed to the characters and engaged with both the present day and historical timelines of the book. The family dynamics were well portrayed and the relationships very vivid in the struggles they faced. The heartbreaking events that tore the family in Uganda apart were moving and I appreciated the way the generational experiences played out within the family.
martamamor's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lucy_bookworm's review
5.0
This is a story of two halves & roughly alternates between them.
In the present day, we have Sameer, a corporate lawyer working in a high-pressured job in London. He has been offered the opportunity to move to work in Singapore which he is excited about, but knows that his parents will not be happy about this. He is an Asian Muslim and knows that his father ultimately expects him to return to Leicester, to work in the family business – the last thing Sameer wants!
In the 1950s & 1960s we meet Sameer’s grandfather Hasan in Uganda. Through a series of letters, we see his success in business, but also the challenges that he faced following the rising anti-Asian feelings that were sweeping across Uganda.
The two storylines start very far apart, and it’s initially hard to see how they will come together but after one of Sameer’s closest friends is racially attacked, and with mounting pressure from his family to return to the family home, marry a suitable (Muslim) girl and become part of the successful family restaurant business, Sameer finds himself caught between a future that he’s always dreamed of and a sense of duty to his family. Before he takes up the job in Singapore, he decides to travel to Uganda, to visit a family friend and discover a little about his past.
The switches between the time periods helps to entwine and also unravel the complexities of the story. There are similarities in both storylines, a search for a sense of belonging, conflicts between two identities (Sameer’s 'Asian' and 'British’ and Hasan’s ‘Asian’ and ‘Ugandan’) and deep friendships that cross boundaries (Sameer with Rahool & Jeremiah, Hasan with Abdullah)
The author deals with race and culture in a sensitive yet realistic way & there are moments when the truth is almost too hard to swallow as it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of racism as experienced even in today’s multi-cultural world, and the long-term effects of colonialism. It is interesting to see how racism can be both way with the victims sometimes becoming the perpetrators. It was good to read a book that presents religious faith in a positive light as it is so often ridiculed. I liked the way that Sameer grows & changes in his faith as the book progresses.
The book is incredibly well researched and will also educate you about the Ugandan situation in the 1970s and the expulsion of thousands of people of Asian heritage from Uganda in 1972. I live in Leicester and am aware that around 10,000 Ugandan Asians settled in Leicester as a result of Idi Amin’s directive, joining relatives and friends who had already settled here. Whilst Leicester is a very diverse city and has benefitted from the immigration over the years, the books does also highlight some of the difficulties that people faced 50 years ago.
Having said all that, the book is very easy to read, and the writing is very evocative, bringing both Uganda and Leicester to life. It was delightful to read a book set in a place I know so well (Leicester)
I listened to the audiobook and the two narrators were fabulous. They had very different voices that really suited the characters and the way it was produced really worked. I am not sure if I would have got the same feelings if I had read this one as the voices added an additional depth to the words
Ultimately this is a multi-layered and sensitive exploration of racism, family relationships, friendships and faith across different cultures and generations. I am not sure how I feel about the ending … but I am very glad I read this book.
---------------------
Since reading the book, I have discovered that the author is a female (I had somehow presumed the author was male as the relationships between the men are so well developed & the women are secondary characters). She is bi-racial, the daughter of a Nigerian father and Pakistani mother, and is also a London-based laywer just like Sameer! Her background definitely brings something very special to the story.
In the present day, we have Sameer, a corporate lawyer working in a high-pressured job in London. He has been offered the opportunity to move to work in Singapore which he is excited about, but knows that his parents will not be happy about this. He is an Asian Muslim and knows that his father ultimately expects him to return to Leicester, to work in the family business – the last thing Sameer wants!
In the 1950s & 1960s we meet Sameer’s grandfather Hasan in Uganda. Through a series of letters, we see his success in business, but also the challenges that he faced following the rising anti-Asian feelings that were sweeping across Uganda.
The two storylines start very far apart, and it’s initially hard to see how they will come together but after one of Sameer’s closest friends is racially attacked, and with mounting pressure from his family to return to the family home, marry a suitable (Muslim) girl and become part of the successful family restaurant business, Sameer finds himself caught between a future that he’s always dreamed of and a sense of duty to his family. Before he takes up the job in Singapore, he decides to travel to Uganda, to visit a family friend and discover a little about his past.
The switches between the time periods helps to entwine and also unravel the complexities of the story. There are similarities in both storylines, a search for a sense of belonging, conflicts between two identities (Sameer’s 'Asian' and 'British’ and Hasan’s ‘Asian’ and ‘Ugandan’) and deep friendships that cross boundaries (Sameer with Rahool & Jeremiah, Hasan with Abdullah)
The author deals with race and culture in a sensitive yet realistic way & there are moments when the truth is almost too hard to swallow as it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of racism as experienced even in today’s multi-cultural world, and the long-term effects of colonialism. It is interesting to see how racism can be both way with the victims sometimes becoming the perpetrators. It was good to read a book that presents religious faith in a positive light as it is so often ridiculed. I liked the way that Sameer grows & changes in his faith as the book progresses.
The book is incredibly well researched and will also educate you about the Ugandan situation in the 1970s and the expulsion of thousands of people of Asian heritage from Uganda in 1972. I live in Leicester and am aware that around 10,000 Ugandan Asians settled in Leicester as a result of Idi Amin’s directive, joining relatives and friends who had already settled here. Whilst Leicester is a very diverse city and has benefitted from the immigration over the years, the books does also highlight some of the difficulties that people faced 50 years ago.
Having said all that, the book is very easy to read, and the writing is very evocative, bringing both Uganda and Leicester to life. It was delightful to read a book set in a place I know so well (Leicester)
I listened to the audiobook and the two narrators were fabulous. They had very different voices that really suited the characters and the way it was produced really worked. I am not sure if I would have got the same feelings if I had read this one as the voices added an additional depth to the words
Ultimately this is a multi-layered and sensitive exploration of racism, family relationships, friendships and faith across different cultures and generations. I am not sure how I feel about the ending … but I am very glad I read this book.
---------------------
Since reading the book, I have discovered that the author is a female (I had somehow presumed the author was male as the relationships between the men are so well developed & the women are secondary characters). She is bi-racial, the daughter of a Nigerian father and Pakistani mother, and is also a London-based laywer just like Sameer! Her background definitely brings something very special to the story.