A powerful debut novel that explores the intertwined histories of a family across generations and continents, delving into themes of identity, migration, and the legacy of colonialism.
We Are All Birds of Uganda is the debut novel by Hafsa Zayyan, winner of the inaugural #Merky Books New Writers' Prize. The narrative interweaves two timelines:
- 1960s Uganda: Hasan, a successful businessman, grapples with personal loss and the escalating political unrest under Idi Amin's regime, which culminates in the expulsion of Asians from Uganda.
- Present-day London: Sameer, Hasan's grandson and a high-flying lawyer, faces a personal crisis that leads him to explore his family's past, prompting a journey to Uganda in search of identity and belonging.
Through these parallel stories, Zayyan delves into themes of migration, racism, generational divides, and the quest for self-discovery. The novel offers a poignant exploration of the complexities of heritage and the enduring impact of colonialism.
