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A review by bookofcinz
Manchester Happened by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
5.0
How do I put into words how this collection of stories made me feel? This book absolutely stole my heart and its now one of my all time favourite books. WOW.
In Jennifer Makumbi’s collection of stories, Manchester Happened we meet Ugandans who journey to England, specifically Manchester to make a life for themselves. The collection is separated into two sections, the first journeys with those who decided to leave and the second section takes us on a trip back with the characters who decided to visit Uganda after spending a significant amount of time in the UK. While we all know that everyone’s immigration story is different, Jennifer Makumbi was able to give the readers a diverse and nuance look with these twelve stories.
Of twelve stories, my standouts where:
Our Allies the Colonies
Manchester Happened
Something Inside So Strong
Malik’s Door
My Brother, Bwemage
The Aftertaste of Success
Let’s Tell This Story Properly
Yes, yes, I know I basically listed out the entire table of contents but that is just how much I really enjoyed this collection. I really do enjoy stories that tells of the experience of those who leave their country, for whatever reason, to go a try and make a better life elsewhere. Makumbi treated their experience with compassion and vulnerability and that is why I felt so hard for this collection. Makumbi even included the point of view of a dog who got kidnapped from Uganda and was brought to Manchester- yes! That happened.
Themes of immigration, identity, racism, colonialism, colourism, fitting in, displacement, sadness, regret and shame are explored and done in a very layered way. I really appreciated that the author did not tell a one-dimensional story but something that really moved and stayed with you, after finishing the story. I particularly loved how realistic the depiction of the characters were.
Makumbi’s ability to write about how people perceive the UK and having that perception blown to pieces when they arrive really did it for me.
I honestly could go on and on about this collection, but I highly recommend you read it yourself. Trust me when I say, you will not be disappointed.
In Jennifer Makumbi’s collection of stories, Manchester Happened we meet Ugandans who journey to England, specifically Manchester to make a life for themselves. The collection is separated into two sections, the first journeys with those who decided to leave and the second section takes us on a trip back with the characters who decided to visit Uganda after spending a significant amount of time in the UK. While we all know that everyone’s immigration story is different, Jennifer Makumbi was able to give the readers a diverse and nuance look with these twelve stories.
Of twelve stories, my standouts where:
Our Allies the Colonies
Manchester Happened
Something Inside So Strong
Malik’s Door
My Brother, Bwemage
The Aftertaste of Success
Let’s Tell This Story Properly
Yes, yes, I know I basically listed out the entire table of contents but that is just how much I really enjoyed this collection. I really do enjoy stories that tells of the experience of those who leave their country, for whatever reason, to go a try and make a better life elsewhere. Makumbi treated their experience with compassion and vulnerability and that is why I felt so hard for this collection. Makumbi even included the point of view of a dog who got kidnapped from Uganda and was brought to Manchester- yes! That happened.
Themes of immigration, identity, racism, colonialism, colourism, fitting in, displacement, sadness, regret and shame are explored and done in a very layered way. I really appreciated that the author did not tell a one-dimensional story but something that really moved and stayed with you, after finishing the story. I particularly loved how realistic the depiction of the characters were.
Makumbi’s ability to write about how people perceive the UK and having that perception blown to pieces when they arrive really did it for me.
I honestly could go on and on about this collection, but I highly recommend you read it yourself. Trust me when I say, you will not be disappointed.