It's 1972 and Idi Amin has given Asians 90 days to leave Uganda. Teenager Amir and his family will have to leave, but they can't find Amir's birth certificate so the rest of the family will go first, leaving him to follow them once he has a passport. The true story of Amir's difficulties and the brutality of Amin's soldiers is cleverly interspersed with excerpts from Amir's childhood and happy upbringing in Uganda, highlighting the injustice of Amin's proclamation. Although I have to say I think Amir sounds like he was a bit of a nightmare child, with pranks including killing and eating his brother's pet! I'm glad I read this, it's a part of history I don't know much about.

This book will travel in a ray.

Diane-Fraser (UK)
Shepparm (UK)
Cassandra2020 (UK)
kinedi (UK)
Pam99 (UK)
rahar109 (UK)
cfreckle (UK)
Historybee2020 (UK)
imeretoo (UK)
back to greenbadger to send to...
Fifna (EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway)
Mankyi (anywhere)
Andrasthe (EU/international)
Arvores (Europe)
dacejav (anywhere)

Sent to Diane-Fraser, first in the ray.

Oops forgot to journal this. I’ve got a few chapters left to read today and will get to the post office this week to post to next in-line. Very interesting stories intertwined with the tale of expulsion from Uganda

Posting to Shepparm this week

Apologies, I forgot to post that I had received this book.
I have now read it and I found it fascinating. The stories of life in Africa and the intertwining of the brutality of the expulsion were very interesting. I can vaguely remember the expulsions but this brought to life the impact and devastation it had on so many people.

Now moving on to Cassandra2020

Arrived today. Might be a day or two before I finish my current book and start this but will get it read and on its way ASAP

Expelled from Uganda by Noreen Nasim - good

This book is part of a bookray as it was written by one of the authors that will speak at the 2025 Bookcrossing UnCon in Sheffield.

I actually remember when the "Ugandan Asians" were expelled from Uganda and arrived in the UK, cold and scared. I also have at least one friend who arrived here because of it. Funnily enough, it was never discussed in any detail and I was possibly a little young (12) to really consider and understand what was actually going on. Certainly my friend never spoke of it other than as why she had moved.

This book is a fictionalised version of what happened to the author's father and his family when they were order to leave their homes and possessions and get out of Uganda...the authorities didn't care how or where they should go and the increasing violence and corruption made it increasingly frightening, dangerous and difficult for those targeted by the regime.

I must admit I didn't particularly enjoy the style of the book. I was more interested in the expulsion storyline and less about the 'flashbacks' to various childhood events (although I recognise that some of them tied into how Amir reacted as an almost adult and helped set the scene of what the family would lose). For me the book picked up when the pressure increased and the family found themselves separated as they made their escape.

An important story that needs more exposure and understanding - I'm glad I read it and look forward to hearing the author speak at Sheffield.

#review

Posted on to the next on the list.

Although this book is registered at www.bookcrossing.com, you don't have to be a member. It's perfectly OK to just take the book and enjoy it. Of course, if you can visit the website and let us know that you've picked it up, that would be even better - you don't even have to join, you can add your comments anonymously - you can also post your review when you've read it, then return it or pass it on to someone else.

If you do join Bookcrossing, you'll be able to see what happens to it afterwards - for ever!

Join UK Bookcrossers at the BCUK Sheffield Unconvention from 4-6 July 2025

Arrived today so will try to read quickly so I can pass on to pam99 in person at next Edinburgh meet up in 2 weeks.

Quite an emotional and captivating read about a family of Ugandan Asian trying to escape Idi Amin's dictatorship in 1972. I learned a lot about Uganda's history and I'm grateful that Amir and his family found a new home in the UK. Looking forward to meeting Noreen Asim at the Sheffield Uncon in July

Unfortunately I can’t make Sunday’s meet up after all so kinedi kindly posted this to me. I should finish the book I’m on tonight and this is next!

An interesting read, particularly with current developments in North America and the use of ICE to expel immigrants who have only known the USA as their home. Waiting for an address from the next reader and then it will be on its way!

On its way to the next reader