A contemporary read on both sides of immigrant experience

Book review of: WE ARE ALL BIRDS OF UGANDA

Book author: Hafsa Zayyan

We Are All Birds of Uganda tells us the story of a young, ambitious Londoner whose root comes from Uganda and India. His family were forced to leave Uganda in Idi Amin's time. The book reflects on a crucial time in history that I was not aware of. And it shows you the immigrant experience in today’s migratory world.

Sameer is 26 years old, workaholic professional, who stays more at office than at home. Home is a penthouse stuffed with unopened packages of expensive Apple products. Sameer left his immigrant family’s past a way back. He is a Londoner by heart. He is a Muslim and brown by birth, by practice he is a drinker and stays away from desi gossip. Sameer faces a series of incidents that makes him remember, he is maybe an immigrant first than a Londoner.

Throughout the book I was wondering how to blend in a Westernized social gathering where you don’t drink or what if it’s Ramadan. Sameer roams in a culture where avoiding alcohol in Ramadan might make it painful for him to answer his reasons. His roots are here and there like migratory birds, his culture is alcoholic and non-alcoholic both. In a gripping writing Hafsa Zayyan explores more into immigrant experiences.

A beautiful mix of contemporary and historical fiction, the pages will flow very fast… Enjoy with your favorite drink!