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dreaminthepages's review
4.0
What a heartbreaking, powerful and important story of one Indian familys journey of survival during the expulsion period in Uganda under Idi Amin's rule. It really hit home as to the hardships and sacrifices many Indians living in Uganda madr at the time and makes me appreciate my ancestors histories a lot more. This was great for a debut novel although the ending seemed a little rushed and abrupt but nonetheless a very enjoyable educational read! It even prodded me to ask my mum about some questions about this time!
thechemicaldetective's review
4.0
Wonderful debut. I listened to the audio book and the narration by Aysha Kala is superb. It's a fascinating story, I remember the arrival of Ugandan Asians as a child, and how much Britain benefited. Memorable characters, fabulous structure and a wonderful ending (that might just be a beginning..).
mtustingore's review
3.0
Kololo Hill is a gripping story, especially past the halfway mark, but the prose is a bit clunky. It’s a good debut, and I’d look forward to reading more of Shah’s work as she progresses as a writer.
georgiebtz's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
mrsmangoa's review
3.0
Definitely a really good book. I give this a 3.5⭐️s and would recommend.
The characters were interesting and the story on Idi Amins expulsion of Asians from Uganda was a tough situation. All through the characters persevered.
My only issue was with Asha, she is an emotional and haughty person but at times she just seemed to be holding a grudge and was too harsh or self centred. There were a few bits it was annoying to read her scenes because of it but all in all not a bad book.
The characters were interesting and the story on Idi Amins expulsion of Asians from Uganda was a tough situation. All through the characters persevered.
My only issue was with Asha, she is an emotional and haughty person but at times she just seemed to be holding a grudge and was too harsh or self centred. There were a few bits it was annoying to read her scenes because of it but all in all not a bad book.
05hamiltonk's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
I always enjoy (recent) historical fiction and this was no different. It didn't move me as much as I expected it to, but that might have been because of my own headspace while I was reading it. That being said the story was full, lots was going on and I was never bored. There were some interesting characters. Maybe I don't need to cry my eyes out at EVERY single book... haha. Definitely one to read if you're interested in migration or East African history.
betweenbookends's review
3.5/5
I always admire fiction that can illuminate a lesser-known part of history while also managing to tell a compelling and very human story. Author Neema Shah in Kololo Hill throws light on a very difficult and tumultuous time in Ugandan history when people of Asian descent were forced to exit the country within a 90 day period under the order of a dictatorial regime. There’s a very interesting commentary on social class and hierarchy, on why Indians migrated over to Uganda and how they assumed a superior social standing once the British had left Uganda. Kololo Hill, in and of itself is synonymous with this implied hierarchy where the higher you go up the hill, the richer and more influential are its residents. Through the lens of a small family running a store business, Jaya and Motichand, their sons Pran and Vijay, and Pran’s wife Asha, you follow the circumstances and their lives thrown amok when the country they’ve considered home becomes inhospitable. I appreciate the effort the author takes to present a balanced perspective, the class divide and rift between Asians and Ugandans further exacerbated by the growing disparity between the rich and poor. I wished that aspect was explored in further detail. The period specificities, music, food and the intermixing of cultures, Indian and Ugandan was very well done. The writing is fluid, evocative and very readable. A minor quibble is that I did find the pacing slightly uneven. The second half when the family immigrates to the UK meanders ever so slightly compared to the first half which I felt was a tighter narrative. I had the privilege of attending the author event which the publisher very kindly invited me to, along with sending a copy of this book. Listening to the author speak of the research that went into the book, her own family history and how this story came to be created an even richer reading experience. It is a moving story of displacement, immigration, identity and belonging and one I’d certainly recommend.
I always admire fiction that can illuminate a lesser-known part of history while also managing to tell a compelling and very human story. Author Neema Shah in Kololo Hill throws light on a very difficult and tumultuous time in Ugandan history when people of Asian descent were forced to exit the country within a 90 day period under the order of a dictatorial regime. There’s a very interesting commentary on social class and hierarchy, on why Indians migrated over to Uganda and how they assumed a superior social standing once the British had left Uganda. Kololo Hill, in and of itself is synonymous with this implied hierarchy where the higher you go up the hill, the richer and more influential are its residents. Through the lens of a small family running a store business, Jaya and Motichand, their sons Pran and Vijay, and Pran’s wife Asha, you follow the circumstances and their lives thrown amok when the country they’ve considered home becomes inhospitable. I appreciate the effort the author takes to present a balanced perspective, the class divide and rift between Asians and Ugandans further exacerbated by the growing disparity between the rich and poor. I wished that aspect was explored in further detail. The period specificities, music, food and the intermixing of cultures, Indian and Ugandan was very well done. The writing is fluid, evocative and very readable. A minor quibble is that I did find the pacing slightly uneven. The second half when the family immigrates to the UK meanders ever so slightly compared to the first half which I felt was a tighter narrative. I had the privilege of attending the author event which the publisher very kindly invited me to, along with sending a copy of this book. Listening to the author speak of the research that went into the book, her own family history and how this story came to be created an even richer reading experience. It is a moving story of displacement, immigration, identity and belonging and one I’d certainly recommend.
astridandlouise's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5