"Kololo Hill " by Neema Shah.
The story related to the crisis created in Uganda by the president, Idi Amin, in 1972 when he issued the edict that Asians must leave within 90 days.
The novel related the experiences of one family affected by the edict.
The family members had differing nationalities hence various legal situations; they eventually leave Uganda apart from the "house boy" and are supported in their adjustment to life in UK.
The fear generated by the indiscriminate violence of Idi Amin’s soldiers is well depicted both in Kololo Hill and during the travel to the airport.
The comfort zone challenges of Asian and British culture produced much humour (e.g., Bingo, Christmas).
The surprise from the novel is that some of the expelled people decided to return to Uganda.
Within the novel this was depicted as the men wishing to return, but the women adapted better to conditions in UK and had started to build careers and a new life.
The lack of a glossary detracted from the start of the novel, the unknown words being a distraction from the flow of the action.
Whilst the characters were seen by some to be under-developed through the novel, the relationships were interestingly complex.
A view was expressed that the book might have been rushed out in the face of a competing novel, and the benefits of some astute editing being lost.
Also, a number of historical inaccuracies were also identified.
Cath’s choice proved to be a good book for the club, the review ranging over a number of topics and eliciting memories and experiences from the group.
The split between Part 1 (Uganda) and Part 2 (England) created 2 distinct emotional roller-coasters, and the book was well received by all members at the review.
AA Book Club rating: 3.81
PC. 11th June, 2022.
Further reading: "We are all birds of Uganda", by Hafsa Zayyan.
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