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Everything Is Fine Here
A tender coming of age novel set in Uganda in which a young woman grapples with the truth about her sister in a country that punishes gay people.
Eighteen-year-old Aine Kamara has been anticipating a reunion with her older sister, Mbabazi, for months. But when Mbabazi shows up with an unexpected guest, Aine must confront an old her beloved sister is gay in a country with tight anti-homosexuality laws.
Over a weekend at Aine’s all girls’ boarding school, sisterly bonds strengthen, and a new friendship emerges between Aine and her sister’s partner, Achen. Later, a sudden death in the family brings Achen to Mbabazi’s and Aine’s home village, resulting in tensions that put Mrs. Kamara’s Christian beliefs to the test. She issues an ultimatum, forcing Mbabazi to make a difficult choice, but Aine must too. Unable to convince Mama to reconsider, Aine runs away to Mbabazi’s and Achen’s home in Kampala. There she reconnects with Elia, the sophomore at Makerere University she’s had a crush on for a while.
Acclaimed writer Iryn Tushabe’s dazzling debut novel, Everything Is Fine Here, explores the choice Aine must make, and its inevitable and harrowing results.
Eighteen-year-old Aine Kamara has been anticipating a reunion with her older sister, Mbabazi, for months. But when Mbabazi shows up with an unexpected guest, Aine must confront an old her beloved sister is gay in a country with tight anti-homosexuality laws.
Over a weekend at Aine’s all girls’ boarding school, sisterly bonds strengthen, and a new friendship emerges between Aine and her sister’s partner, Achen. Later, a sudden death in the family brings Achen to Mbabazi’s and Aine’s home village, resulting in tensions that put Mrs. Kamara’s Christian beliefs to the test. She issues an ultimatum, forcing Mbabazi to make a difficult choice, but Aine must too. Unable to convince Mama to reconsider, Aine runs away to Mbabazi’s and Achen’s home in Kampala. There she reconnects with Elia, the sophomore at Makerere University she’s had a crush on for a while.
Acclaimed writer Iryn Tushabe’s dazzling debut novel, Everything Is Fine Here, explores the choice Aine must make, and its inevitable and harrowing results.
328 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2025
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January 22, 2026
𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
=========================
Saskatchewan author
My heart hurt for Ainembabazi (Aine) as much as it hurt for Dr. Kamara Grace Mbabazi, her sister. I need a few days to think on this one, but think it will be shortlisted.
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Saskatchewan author
My heart hurt for Ainembabazi (Aine) as much as it hurt for Dr. Kamara Grace Mbabazi, her sister. I need a few days to think on this one, but think it will be shortlisted.
April 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
3.5 stars rounded up
✨ Adult Fiction
✨ Coming of Age
✨ Set in Uganda
✨ Character-driven
✨ Third Person POV
> content warnings after review
Everything is Fine Here follows a young woman, Aine, who is almost finished with school and preparing to go to college. Her older sister is a doctor who has been furthering her studies in Canada. Her older sister also is a lesbian, which is punishable by imprisonment and even de*th in Uganda.
I think the highlight of this book is the relationship between Aine and her sister, Mbabazi. It is clear there is so much love there and although there is a stigma against LGBTQ+ people, Aine loves her sister just the same. Their relationship reminded me of the relationship between my younger sister and me. Aine also developed a strong friendship with her sister’s partner, Achen.
This is most definitely a character-driven novel because while there is a plot of sorts, the focus is very much on Aine’s relationships, life events, and struggles. She is young and trying to figure things out. She has a good grasp on something’s, but she can be a naive at times and does not always understand the gravity of situations.
I enjoyed the setting and cultural aspects quite a bit. My nephew’s father is from Uganda, so I was able to ask him about some things mentioned in the book which sparked some good conversation.
I liked this book overall, and I do enjoy character-driven novels; however, I was kind of hoping for a bit more for this book. Though I enjoyed the characters they did fall a bit flat, and there were topics that I wish had been explored more within the story. I felt there were some missed opportunities when it came to the subject matter.
I would be interested in reading further works by this author as this was her debut novel, and I enjoyed the writing and characters for the most part.
There may be potential spoilers below.
Content Warnings
(this list may not be all-inclusive)
mentions of su*cide/self-harm, homophobia (including threats of de*th/incarceration and disowning by family), religious trauma, fatal car accident, de*th (parent)
3.5 stars rounded up
✨ Adult Fiction
✨ Coming of Age
✨ Set in Uganda
✨ Character-driven
✨ Third Person POV
> content warnings after review
Everything is Fine Here follows a young woman, Aine, who is almost finished with school and preparing to go to college. Her older sister is a doctor who has been furthering her studies in Canada. Her older sister also is a lesbian, which is punishable by imprisonment and even de*th in Uganda.
I think the highlight of this book is the relationship between Aine and her sister, Mbabazi. It is clear there is so much love there and although there is a stigma against LGBTQ+ people, Aine loves her sister just the same. Their relationship reminded me of the relationship between my younger sister and me. Aine also developed a strong friendship with her sister’s partner, Achen.
This is most definitely a character-driven novel because while there is a plot of sorts, the focus is very much on Aine’s relationships, life events, and struggles. She is young and trying to figure things out. She has a good grasp on something’s, but she can be a naive at times and does not always understand the gravity of situations.
I enjoyed the setting and cultural aspects quite a bit. My nephew’s father is from Uganda, so I was able to ask him about some things mentioned in the book which sparked some good conversation.
I liked this book overall, and I do enjoy character-driven novels; however, I was kind of hoping for a bit more for this book. Though I enjoyed the characters they did fall a bit flat, and there were topics that I wish had been explored more within the story. I felt there were some missed opportunities when it came to the subject matter.
I would be interested in reading further works by this author as this was her debut novel, and I enjoyed the writing and characters for the most part.
There may be potential spoilers below.
Content Warnings
(this list may not be all-inclusive)
mentions of su*cide/self-harm, homophobia (including threats of de*th/incarceration and disowning by family), religious trauma, fatal car accident, de*th (parent)
March 15, 2025
Thoughts. The first word that comes to mind is brave. Yes brave to be writing about same-sex relations in a country that criminalizes homosexuality. This novel is set in Uganda and the protagonist, Mbabazi is walking a thin line trying to balance her love and life with her partner while deftly avoiding her exposure as a gay woman in Uganda, which could have deadly consequences. Her younger sister Aine, is very understanding and loving, and not at all uncomfortable with Mbabazi’s entanglement. The mother-who of course, is very religious-is extremely troubled by this behavior and when family tragedy strikes, the proverbial 💩 hits the fan. A well balanced novel about family, love, relationships, parenting, and just navigating life. Not heavy- handed in any way. There is no trying to convince the reader either pro or con concerning homosexuality. Just a good, well written story that makes for a compelling debut. Thanks to House of Anansi press for the invite to read an advanced DRC. Book drops April 22, 2025!
January 17, 2026
Canada Reads 2026 Longlist Book!
Everything Is Fine Here does a lot of things well. The characters feel real enough to care about and the Ugandan setting is one of the book’s strongest features. It is easy to picture the schools, the homes, the streets, and the social pressure humming in the background. The sense of place is doing real work here, and I appreciated that.
My main issue is the plot. It feels stagnant for long stretches, like the story is circling its themes rather than pushing forward.
The “coming out in a country where it is dangerous” angle is a valid and important story, and placing it in Uganda gives it a different context than the versions we usually see. That said, I am personally worn out on this particular arc. This is not a dismissal of gay experiences, those absolutely matter, but I have read a lot of variations on this story over the past decade, and this one did not feel distinct enough in execution to fully re-energize the theme for me.
As a Canada Reads pick, I can see why it made the longlist. It invites discussion about culture, family, religion, and queerness in a global context, and it does so in an accessible, readable way. I just wanted more narrative momentum and sharper payoff to match the weight of its ideas.
Solid, thoughtful, but ultimately a bit too safe and slow for my taste.
Canada Reads 2026 Rankings
1. Foe
2. Crossroads
3. Oxford Soju Club
4. Everything is Fine Here
5. A Minor Chorus
6. Celestina's House
7. Heated Rivalry
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Everything Is Fine Here does a lot of things well. The characters feel real enough to care about and the Ugandan setting is one of the book’s strongest features. It is easy to picture the schools, the homes, the streets, and the social pressure humming in the background. The sense of place is doing real work here, and I appreciated that.
My main issue is the plot. It feels stagnant for long stretches, like the story is circling its themes rather than pushing forward.
The “coming out in a country where it is dangerous” angle is a valid and important story, and placing it in Uganda gives it a different context than the versions we usually see. That said, I am personally worn out on this particular arc. This is not a dismissal of gay experiences, those absolutely matter, but I have read a lot of variations on this story over the past decade, and this one did not feel distinct enough in execution to fully re-energize the theme for me.
As a Canada Reads pick, I can see why it made the longlist. It invites discussion about culture, family, religion, and queerness in a global context, and it does so in an accessible, readable way. I just wanted more narrative momentum and sharper payoff to match the weight of its ideas.
Solid, thoughtful, but ultimately a bit too safe and slow for my taste.
Canada Reads 2026 Rankings
1. Foe
2. Crossroads
3. Oxford Soju Club
4. Everything is Fine Here
5. A Minor Chorus
6. Celestina's House
7. Heated Rivalry
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
December 18, 2024
Aine, a Ugandan teen about to graduate and head to university, struggles between her love for her big sister Mbabazi, and her parents who condemn Mbabazi for being gay. Everything is Fine Here chronicles Aine's difficulty in having to choose her sister or her parents at a time when she's also trying to figure out her own future. Tushabe's debut novel deals with these topics admirably, but in a quiet way.
This was fine. I liked the plot idea and love learning about cultures I don't know a lot about, but this book felt like it lacked a lot of depth, both in the plot and the culture. I just felt like more could have been done with the story.
Release Date: 4/22/2025
This was fine. I liked the plot idea and love learning about cultures I don't know a lot about, but this book felt like it lacked a lot of depth, both in the plot and the culture. I just felt like more could have been done with the story.
Release Date: 4/22/2025
August 26, 2025
I loved this debut novel that offers a fresh and memorable coming-of-age story set in Uganda. Aine, the protagonist, comes into her power as a writer, a sexual being, and a political thinker while staying at the home her beloved sister shares with her girlfriend in a place where their love is illegal. These characters leapt off the page for me, thanks to Tushabe's skill with dialogue and her complex handling of the relationship between the two sisters.
March 19, 2026
A Ugandan Canadian perspective on the challenges of LGBTQ people who live in Uganda. A very different read for me, set in Africa. I really enjoyed the storytelling and recognizing how much of the world still has these challenges.
May 13, 2025
Thank you Tandem Collective and House of Anansi Press for my gifted copy and allowing me to participate in the readalong
I love a good coming-of-age story and this one will definitely stick with me! I adored Aine Kamara. Her naivety and almost childlike views of the world were both heartwarming and grounding
This story takes place in Uganda. Aine is 18 years old finishing up her year at an all girls boarding school. When her successful older sister Mbabazi shows up to speak during career day, she brings her girlfriend Achen. Aine can’t believe her eyes, as Uganda has strict anti-gay laws. So at the discretion of her sister, she keeps it secret
Only Achen is so interesting! Aine loves to hear about her career and life. When a death in the family brings Aine home early, she leans on Achen for support.
Aine and Mbabazi’s mother is forcefully against allowing Mbabazi to be gay. While Aine tries to stand up for her sister, she finds herself running away to the city to stay with Mbabazi
A new town, a new boy, a new view on life, Aine and Mbabazi must decide what’s important, family values or one’s true self
I really enjoyed this novel! I love reading stories with characters and culture different from my own. I do feel it ended abruptly, which is never my favorite, but I can also see how it bodes well for the events leading up to the end. I just wanted more
I love a good coming-of-age story and this one will definitely stick with me! I adored Aine Kamara. Her naivety and almost childlike views of the world were both heartwarming and grounding
This story takes place in Uganda. Aine is 18 years old finishing up her year at an all girls boarding school. When her successful older sister Mbabazi shows up to speak during career day, she brings her girlfriend Achen. Aine can’t believe her eyes, as Uganda has strict anti-gay laws. So at the discretion of her sister, she keeps it secret
Only Achen is so interesting! Aine loves to hear about her career and life. When a death in the family brings Aine home early, she leans on Achen for support.
Aine and Mbabazi’s mother is forcefully against allowing Mbabazi to be gay. While Aine tries to stand up for her sister, she finds herself running away to the city to stay with Mbabazi
A new town, a new boy, a new view on life, Aine and Mbabazi must decide what’s important, family values or one’s true self
I really enjoyed this novel! I love reading stories with characters and culture different from my own. I do feel it ended abruptly, which is never my favorite, but I can also see how it bodes well for the events leading up to the end. I just wanted more
January 25, 2025
this novel is such a bold and moving story about family, identity, and love in a country where being yourself can come at a high cost. 18 y/o Aine Kamara’s world is turned upside down when her sister, Mbabazi, introduces her girlfriend, Achen. what starts as discomfort for Aine transforms into a deep connection, but when tragedy strikes, their family is forced to confront harsh truths about faith, love, and acceptance. it captures Aine’s struggle to balance loyalty to her family with her growing understanding of who her sister is and who she wants to become. her escape to Kampala—and a reunion with her longtime crush, Elia—adds layers of self-discovery and young love to her journey.
with relatable characters and a fresh, unapologetic voice, this book tackles tough topics with heart and honesty. it's a powerful reminder that love and courage can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about growth, resilience, and standing up for what matters.
3.5 stars because i wasn't fully invested but it is an amazing story. maybe not for me, but i hope it find its way to another reader.
with relatable characters and a fresh, unapologetic voice, this book tackles tough topics with heart and honesty. it's a powerful reminder that love and courage can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about growth, resilience, and standing up for what matters.
3.5 stars because i wasn't fully invested but it is an amazing story. maybe not for me, but i hope it find its way to another reader.
May 7, 2025
What a beautiful book that will stay with me for a long time. I don't know if this is the right way to describe it but I found the book very compartmentalized. The subjects and storylines were anything but easy or straight forward but the way the author organized them within each other and into the chapters was very clean and comforting.
Aine is an 18 year old student who is awaiting a much anticipated weekend with her sister, Mbabazi. Though they grow closer in this visit, Mbabazi brings an unexpected guest which shines a light on who she really is. Aine doesn't seem to struggle with her sister being gay but the rest of the country does as does their mother. When an unexpected death occurs in their family, a chain of events unravels which helps the girls see what they have in each other and really teaches them that family can be so many different things.
All of the characters were colorful but I loved how accepting and open-minded Aine was. I especially loved how brave and resilient Mbabazi became.
Things I loved about this book:
📚 Debut novel
✈️ Beautiful Ugandan culture
🌎 Atmospheric
💪🏻 Strong sisters
Aine is an 18 year old student who is awaiting a much anticipated weekend with her sister, Mbabazi. Though they grow closer in this visit, Mbabazi brings an unexpected guest which shines a light on who she really is. Aine doesn't seem to struggle with her sister being gay but the rest of the country does as does their mother. When an unexpected death occurs in their family, a chain of events unravels which helps the girls see what they have in each other and really teaches them that family can be so many different things.
All of the characters were colorful but I loved how accepting and open-minded Aine was. I especially loved how brave and resilient Mbabazi became.
Things I loved about this book:
📚 Debut novel
✈️ Beautiful Ugandan culture
🌎 Atmospheric
💪🏻 Strong sisters
February 18, 2026
Aine Kamara has been waiting for her older sister, Mbabazi, to come home for a visit. When she finally does, she brings a friend home, Achen, who is really her girlfriend. Aine must come to terms with her sister’s sexuality in a country that condones it. It’s not long before the three of them form a sisterly bond with one another. But when tragedy strikes, and their mother finds out who Achen really is, Aine finds herself having to pick sides between her mother and her sister. This was a well written and well told coming of age story, learning about the world, and the way it unfairly works. Tushabe did a great job of writing Aine’s character because she truly felt like an eighteen-year-old. Watching as she fumbled through her adolescence, and not just with her sister, but also with school and boys, was rough but relatable. All Tushabe’s characters were really well developed, which gave the story some good depth and enhanced the plot. The reader had issues with the pacing, it felt a little slow at times which would lead to the plot getting lost from time to time which made it hard to focus and enjoy the story. This did have good themes though and it was really touching to see how fiercely the sisters loved each other. The way this ended was also a bit of a let-down; the reader understood what the author was trying to go for, but it felt like we didn’t get a good resolution. After all the turmoil, the reader wanted more from the characters; they wanted to see them work it out. It felt more open ended and this reader isn’t a big fan of those kinds of endings. It didn’t work for this reader, but it could work for others. In the end, through all the sorrow this was still a very heartwarming novel that this reader did enjoy.
March 4, 2025
This book has been on my radar for a long time as i included it in a books from around the world post months ago. I had high expectations and they were 100% acceded this book was everything i wanted and more. The writing is beautiful and flows together well. It was really easy to get sucked in to the book. The story was really well done and brought tears to my eyes at the end
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5/5⭐️
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Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this arc!
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5/5⭐️
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Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this arc!
January 1, 2026
A contemplative meditation on family. The deep bond of blood that can still fracture and break through trauma. It's quiet, pondering, not flashy. A soft place to land and consider the characters' lives. Not that it doesn't delve into difficult, hard subjects. Religious bigotry and homophobia, grief, forgiveness. Queer kinship across the globe.
content warnings:
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident
content warnings:
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident
April 20, 2025
A huge thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. This book was my first experience with the author and didn’t disappoint. I truly enjoyed the ease of the prose and the authors ability to talk about grief, sexuality, and faith in such a real way. A must read for anyone who loves a coming of age story. I only wish we had gotten more of the sister’s story.
August 30, 2025
Religious and cultural beliefs fracture a family. This is an important book.
January 4, 2026
Review on my blog: https://readingandwalking.ca
February 13, 2026
CBC Canada Reads 2026 Longlist 12/15
Actually pretty surprised this one didn’t make the shortlist! A coming-of-age story, a story of sisters, a story of a family rift, an LGBTQ+ story, what’s not to love? The relationship between Aine and Mbabazi was so sweet, it really pulled at my heartstrings.
Actually pretty surprised this one didn’t make the shortlist! A coming-of-age story, a story of sisters, a story of a family rift, an LGBTQ+ story, what’s not to love? The relationship between Aine and Mbabazi was so sweet, it really pulled at my heartstrings.
October 28, 2025
This is a love story—the story of love between sisters, between partners, and between the narrator and her homeland of Uganda. The love between the sisters is so palpable that I felt it leap off the page and entwine itself with my heart. I appreciated how Uganda is its own character in the novel—with its vibrant landscape and wildlife. And I admired the strength and conviction of the main character, Aine. Despite the difficulties that all of the characters face, the book is hopeful, like its title. Everything is fine here. Love wins.
May 1, 2026
I wanted to love this more than I did! It truly is a beautiful coming of age story but the pacing was off and I had to force myself to keep going after the second half.
May 1, 2025
Everything is Fine Here is a story about two sisters from Uganda, younger Aine and older sister Mbabazi, who is gay but is not supported by her parents. Throughout the novel, Aine has to weigh the love she has for her family with how they treat her sister.
Tushabe writes beautifully – the setting feels especially vivid and alive. I was drawn into the environment from the start, and it didn’t let up throughout the novel. The relationships were also incredibly well written, particularly the one between Aine and Mbabazi. They clearly care about each other, even though they make mistakes and hurt each other. Each relationship in the novel was complicated, and it was very interesting to see that explored, particularly those that arose from the tragic event that shakes up the family and the community.
Overall, the novel was incredibly enjoyable and immersive. There were some moments and arcs that felt a little rushed that I would have liked to see explored more, but overall I really liked the book. I will for sure be tuning in for any of Tushabe's future novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tushabe writes beautifully – the setting feels especially vivid and alive. I was drawn into the environment from the start, and it didn’t let up throughout the novel. The relationships were also incredibly well written, particularly the one between Aine and Mbabazi. They clearly care about each other, even though they make mistakes and hurt each other. Each relationship in the novel was complicated, and it was very interesting to see that explored, particularly those that arose from the tragic event that shakes up the family and the community.
Overall, the novel was incredibly enjoyable and immersive. There were some moments and arcs that felt a little rushed that I would have liked to see explored more, but overall I really liked the book. I will for sure be tuning in for any of Tushabe's future novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2026
2.5 rounded down. Just wasn’t for me. I kept waiting for MORE and it just fell a bit short.
September 28, 2025
“Where many people walk, a new path will be cleared”
To those clearing the path, keep walking, as so many others are looking for that path, but afraid to follow
To those clearing the path, keep walking, as so many others are looking for that path, but afraid to follow
January 9, 2026
“Where many people walk, a new path will be cleared.”
April 22, 2025
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: A tender coming of age novel set in Uganda in which a young woman grapples with the truth about her sister in a country that punishes gay people.
Eighteen-year-old Aine Kamara has been anticipating a reunion with her older sister, Mbabazi, for months. But when Mbabazi shows up with an unexpected guest, Aine must confront an old her beloved sister is gay in a country with tight anti-homosexuality laws.
Over a weekend at Aine’s all girls’ boarding school, sisterly bonds strengthen, and a new friendship emerges between Aine and her sister’s partner, Achen. Later, a sudden death in the family brings Achen to Mbabazi’s and Aine’s home village, resulting in tensions that put Mrs. Kamara’s Christian beliefs to the test. She issues an ultimatum, forcing Mbabazi to make a difficult choice, but Aine must too. Unable to convince Mama to reconsider, Aine runs away to Mbabazi’s and Achen’s home in Kampala. There she reconnects with Elia, the sophomore at Makerere University she’s had a crush on for a while.
Acclaimed writer Iryn Tushabe’s dazzling debut novel, Everything Is Fine Here, explores the choice Aine must make, and its inevitable and harrowing results.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: How any parent, let alone one who has actually given birth, could reject their child to obey a bizarre (and demonstrably untrue) imaginary bully in the sky's idiotic rules is utterly beyond my ability to comprehend.It made this story one I could never fully commit to. In setting this dynamic at the center of several characters' awakenings, societal and personal, the author's veracious presentation of Mrs. Kamara's conflict between her religion and her love for her children left me out.
It isn't simply that I don't *like* it, this reality, the truth of many many families...some I've known quite well...is so alien to what I know of parenting and the love of a parent for a child that I quit believing the story's heart of truth. It *is* truth, I'm fully aware. I simply can't get over that utterly insane and viciously cruel behavior attributed to "moral" people, so I end up outside looking in.
That's why this powerful, beautifully written novel only gets 4 stars.
The love and the hope and the genuine human interlinking that is a family takes place among the people rejected by this vengeful god. I think if that as a powerful indictment of the belief system. The young women all seem to accept the reality of god while declining to accept the rules they're told are ordained by him. That resistance is delightful to me, and is expressed as a firm rejection of patriarchy: "...she'd read enough novels to suspect when patriarchy was disguising itself as romance," as I practically weep with jubilation.
A note to my more vocal women negative commenters: Logic and evidence dictate that honest men oppose patriarchy solely for its demonstrable and unconscionable wastefulness; self-preservation demands that gay men...I am one...oppose its procrustean dualistic insistence on a gender binary. That I benefit from it does not mean I must be blind to its evils and insensitive to its costs. Please stop DMing me about it. (This same attitude is applicable to my old white man's opposition to racism.)
The most fun I had reading this Uganda-set novel was its evocations of the life lived there, the backdrop of the natural world...not paraded in some weird tourist-trap way, rather that Aine (our PoV character) notices what is natural for her to notice. It's a solidly built world. It feels to me like I could get off a bus there and not feel culture shock because the rhythms and the ethos aren't completely unfamiliar after reading this story. That is some excellent writing, Author Tushabe.
A truly honest, very emotionally centered, coming-of-age and coming out story. One that is set in a world very hostile to women and to queer people. This is a gift to US readers from a place and at a time when understanding the costs and injustices of repression could not possibly be more important. Reading is, always, an act of resistance. Resist ignorance of what misogyny and homophobia deprive their human victims of.
The Publisher Says: A tender coming of age novel set in Uganda in which a young woman grapples with the truth about her sister in a country that punishes gay people.
Eighteen-year-old Aine Kamara has been anticipating a reunion with her older sister, Mbabazi, for months. But when Mbabazi shows up with an unexpected guest, Aine must confront an old her beloved sister is gay in a country with tight anti-homosexuality laws.
Over a weekend at Aine’s all girls’ boarding school, sisterly bonds strengthen, and a new friendship emerges between Aine and her sister’s partner, Achen. Later, a sudden death in the family brings Achen to Mbabazi’s and Aine’s home village, resulting in tensions that put Mrs. Kamara’s Christian beliefs to the test. She issues an ultimatum, forcing Mbabazi to make a difficult choice, but Aine must too. Unable to convince Mama to reconsider, Aine runs away to Mbabazi’s and Achen’s home in Kampala. There she reconnects with Elia, the sophomore at Makerere University she’s had a crush on for a while.
Acclaimed writer Iryn Tushabe’s dazzling debut novel, Everything Is Fine Here, explores the choice Aine must make, and its inevitable and harrowing results.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: How any parent, let alone one who has actually given birth, could reject their child to obey a bizarre (and demonstrably untrue) imaginary bully in the sky's idiotic rules is utterly beyond my ability to comprehend.It made this story one I could never fully commit to. In setting this dynamic at the center of several characters' awakenings, societal and personal, the author's veracious presentation of Mrs. Kamara's conflict between her religion and her love for her children left me out.
It isn't simply that I don't *like* it, this reality, the truth of many many families...some I've known quite well...is so alien to what I know of parenting and the love of a parent for a child that I quit believing the story's heart of truth. It *is* truth, I'm fully aware. I simply can't get over that utterly insane and viciously cruel behavior attributed to "moral" people, so I end up outside looking in.
That's why this powerful, beautifully written novel only gets 4 stars.
The love and the hope and the genuine human interlinking that is a family takes place among the people rejected by this vengeful god. I think if that as a powerful indictment of the belief system. The young women all seem to accept the reality of god while declining to accept the rules they're told are ordained by him. That resistance is delightful to me, and is expressed as a firm rejection of patriarchy: "...she'd read enough novels to suspect when patriarchy was disguising itself as romance," as I practically weep with jubilation.
A note to my more vocal women negative commenters: Logic and evidence dictate that honest men oppose patriarchy solely for its demonstrable and unconscionable wastefulness; self-preservation demands that gay men...I am one...oppose its procrustean dualistic insistence on a gender binary. That I benefit from it does not mean I must be blind to its evils and insensitive to its costs. Please stop DMing me about it. (This same attitude is applicable to my old white man's opposition to racism.)
The most fun I had reading this Uganda-set novel was its evocations of the life lived there, the backdrop of the natural world...not paraded in some weird tourist-trap way, rather that Aine (our PoV character) notices what is natural for her to notice. It's a solidly built world. It feels to me like I could get off a bus there and not feel culture shock because the rhythms and the ethos aren't completely unfamiliar after reading this story. That is some excellent writing, Author Tushabe.
A truly honest, very emotionally centered, coming-of-age and coming out story. One that is set in a world very hostile to women and to queer people. This is a gift to US readers from a place and at a time when understanding the costs and injustices of repression could not possibly be more important. Reading is, always, an act of resistance. Resist ignorance of what misogyny and homophobia deprive their human victims of.
April 22, 2025
One of my best friends is my baby sister (who is a completely and fully grown woman, but who’ll always be a baby sister to me). She’s twelve years younger than me, and as we’ve gotten older, and I greyer, I’ve sometimes been mistaken for her mother by people who obviously don’t have working eyes in their heads (eye-roll for you, Thelma).
But I *have* often thought about what makes us extra close (there’s another beloved sister between us, but it’s not the same). No doubt it’s partly that I helped raise the baby: the age difference means I am more like an aunt to her than a sibling, and I’m sure that’s made for more looking-up-to-ness than rivalry for her.
Sisterhood is at the heart of this lovely novel from Iryn Tushabe. Set in Uganda, it explores the relationship between Aine, who’s just finishing high school, and her sister Mbabazi. Aine is as naive about the world as you expect her to be, so she tends to expose secrets either without meaning to or while hoping for the best—like the fact that her big sister Mbabazi is baed up … with a woman … in Uganda, [famous for its anti-homosexuality laws and prosecution of LGBTQ+ people](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa...).
*Everything is Fine Here* doesn’t take on so much the macro aspects of this as it does the personal ones: how Aine’s indiscretion affects her family and her relationship with Mbabazi. The lovely thing is that although the novel is all about these things, it’s also about Aine growing up into the woman she’s probably going to become; and if that isn’t enough of a grand adventure for readers, she also goes on one one memorable night. There are vivid descriptions of all the locations in the novel—semi-rural life, small town life, and the contrast between all of that and life in the big city, Kampala. Descriptions of life at Pike Girls’ School are also pretty familiar: I was a boarder very briefly in junior and again in high school, and some of Aine’s experiences took me back.
This is a really well-written novel that’s full of heart and wonderful characters. Apart from LGBTQ+ and family (found included) themes, as well as Aine’s coming-of-age journey, there’s a close and very moving study of bereavement and grief. *Everything is Fine Here* is excellent modern African literature that scores very highly on my *“I need it not to be about war, poverty or AIDS please”* list—important for me because I want to read about the complexity of African lives outside of tired media portrayals. There’s so much more to see, and Tushabe’s novel shows it—as well as managing to be an emotionally astute, fun and engaging read.
Very many thanks to House of Anansi Press for early access.
But I *have* often thought about what makes us extra close (there’s another beloved sister between us, but it’s not the same). No doubt it’s partly that I helped raise the baby: the age difference means I am more like an aunt to her than a sibling, and I’m sure that’s made for more looking-up-to-ness than rivalry for her.
Sisterhood is at the heart of this lovely novel from Iryn Tushabe. Set in Uganda, it explores the relationship between Aine, who’s just finishing high school, and her sister Mbabazi. Aine is as naive about the world as you expect her to be, so she tends to expose secrets either without meaning to or while hoping for the best—like the fact that her big sister Mbabazi is baed up … with a woman … in Uganda, [famous for its anti-homosexuality laws and prosecution of LGBTQ+ people](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa...).
*Everything is Fine Here* doesn’t take on so much the macro aspects of this as it does the personal ones: how Aine’s indiscretion affects her family and her relationship with Mbabazi. The lovely thing is that although the novel is all about these things, it’s also about Aine growing up into the woman she’s probably going to become; and if that isn’t enough of a grand adventure for readers, she also goes on one one memorable night. There are vivid descriptions of all the locations in the novel—semi-rural life, small town life, and the contrast between all of that and life in the big city, Kampala. Descriptions of life at Pike Girls’ School are also pretty familiar: I was a boarder very briefly in junior and again in high school, and some of Aine’s experiences took me back.
This is a really well-written novel that’s full of heart and wonderful characters. Apart from LGBTQ+ and family (found included) themes, as well as Aine’s coming-of-age journey, there’s a close and very moving study of bereavement and grief. *Everything is Fine Here* is excellent modern African literature that scores very highly on my *“I need it not to be about war, poverty or AIDS please”* list—important for me because I want to read about the complexity of African lives outside of tired media portrayals. There’s so much more to see, and Tushabe’s novel shows it—as well as managing to be an emotionally astute, fun and engaging read.
Very many thanks to House of Anansi Press for early access.
May 15, 2025
Aine Kamara is on the brink of adulthood, preparing for her university exams—a time that should be filled with hope and ambition. But in modern Uganda, where shifting religious ideologies clash with personal identity, Aine is forced to question where she truly belongs.
The tension in her home is palpable. With her sister Mbabazi—an OBGYN and fertility specialist—returning from Canada with her secret girlfriend, Achen, Aine witnesses firsthand the painful divide between love and societal expectation. The conflict between mother and daughter fractures the family, leaving Aine feeling frightened, angry, and lost, unsure of which paths remain open to her.
After a pivotal life-altering event, Aine runs away, seeking refuge with Mbabazi in the city—where she discovers her own first stirrings of romance and passion. But as she navigates this unfamiliar world, she must ask herself: How far can she go in her quest for independence? What is permissible for her as a young college woman? Must she leave not just her home, but her country, to truly discover who she can be?
This novel transported me to Uganda, immersing me in landscapes, flavors, and traditions I had never experienced firsthand but felt deeply through Tushabe’s masterful storytelling. Her prose is vivid, powerful, and compelling, seamlessly balancing intimate struggles with broader cultural conversations.
I adored how this book grounded me in Aine’s world, while reminding me that I was, in many ways, a visitor—an observer to experiences that were both deeply specific and universally resonant. Through nuanced dialogue and cultural touchstones—like the Ekitaguriro, the cow dance—Tushabe created moments of pure cultural exchange, inviting me to not just read, but learn and engage.
And in those moments, I found myself thinking—just as Achen does—Why must someone abandon their home, so rich in heritage and joy, simply because of who they love?
Filled with complex, unforgettable characters and themes that linger long after the last page, this is the kind of novel that demands reflection. It’s not just a story; it’s an experience—one that would make a beautiful summer book club read, where conversations about identity, belonging, and freedom could unfold in all their depth.
The tension in her home is palpable. With her sister Mbabazi—an OBGYN and fertility specialist—returning from Canada with her secret girlfriend, Achen, Aine witnesses firsthand the painful divide between love and societal expectation. The conflict between mother and daughter fractures the family, leaving Aine feeling frightened, angry, and lost, unsure of which paths remain open to her.
After a pivotal life-altering event, Aine runs away, seeking refuge with Mbabazi in the city—where she discovers her own first stirrings of romance and passion. But as she navigates this unfamiliar world, she must ask herself: How far can she go in her quest for independence? What is permissible for her as a young college woman? Must she leave not just her home, but her country, to truly discover who she can be?
This novel transported me to Uganda, immersing me in landscapes, flavors, and traditions I had never experienced firsthand but felt deeply through Tushabe’s masterful storytelling. Her prose is vivid, powerful, and compelling, seamlessly balancing intimate struggles with broader cultural conversations.
I adored how this book grounded me in Aine’s world, while reminding me that I was, in many ways, a visitor—an observer to experiences that were both deeply specific and universally resonant. Through nuanced dialogue and cultural touchstones—like the Ekitaguriro, the cow dance—Tushabe created moments of pure cultural exchange, inviting me to not just read, but learn and engage.
And in those moments, I found myself thinking—just as Achen does—Why must someone abandon their home, so rich in heritage and joy, simply because of who they love?
Filled with complex, unforgettable characters and themes that linger long after the last page, this is the kind of novel that demands reflection. It’s not just a story; it’s an experience—one that would make a beautiful summer book club read, where conversations about identity, belonging, and freedom could unfold in all their depth.
May 15, 2025
Iryn Tushabe's debut novel Everything Is Fine Here is an absolutely incredibly written coming-of-age story set in Uganda.
*Spoilers below*
The story centers on eighteen-year-old Aine as she completes her final year of school, figures out her future, and navigates her relationship with her older sister, Mbabazi, and her mother. Complexities that arise between the two of them when Mbabazi returns home with her girlfriend, Achen. Uganda is a country with strict anti-homosexuality laws. While Mbabzi is visiting Aine, bond deepens as Mbabzi shares the secret of having a partner, and Aine builds a friendship with Mbabazi's partner, Achen. An unfortunate death brings Achen to their village, where Achen meets their mother, and tensions arise that challenge their mother's Christian beliefs. Mbabzie is faced with a difficult ultimatum by her mother, but Aine must also make a difficult choice, resulting in her leaving home to find the answers she needs. Both with her sister but also within herself.
This book expertly explored the difficult topic of LGBTQ + in a community where its culture and religion do not accept it. The way jn which familial bonds, found family, sisterly bonds played into this was incredible. There was humor, acceptance, personal exploration, and safety writen within these difficult topics.
Overall, this novel is an incredibly powerful and moving debut novel discussing important topics with grace and safety. There are difficult things discussed, so please check the trigger warnings. Even though I personally am not someone living in that environment many of the topics discussed and the ways in which the characters moved through them were relatable to my own personal life and I am very grateful for the content and the amazing way in which Iryn Tushabe wrote this book.
*Spoilers below*
The story centers on eighteen-year-old Aine as she completes her final year of school, figures out her future, and navigates her relationship with her older sister, Mbabazi, and her mother. Complexities that arise between the two of them when Mbabazi returns home with her girlfriend, Achen. Uganda is a country with strict anti-homosexuality laws. While Mbabzi is visiting Aine, bond deepens as Mbabzi shares the secret of having a partner, and Aine builds a friendship with Mbabazi's partner, Achen. An unfortunate death brings Achen to their village, where Achen meets their mother, and tensions arise that challenge their mother's Christian beliefs. Mbabzie is faced with a difficult ultimatum by her mother, but Aine must also make a difficult choice, resulting in her leaving home to find the answers she needs. Both with her sister but also within herself.
This book expertly explored the difficult topic of LGBTQ + in a community where its culture and religion do not accept it. The way jn which familial bonds, found family, sisterly bonds played into this was incredible. There was humor, acceptance, personal exploration, and safety writen within these difficult topics.
Overall, this novel is an incredibly powerful and moving debut novel discussing important topics with grace and safety. There are difficult things discussed, so please check the trigger warnings. Even though I personally am not someone living in that environment many of the topics discussed and the ways in which the characters moved through them were relatable to my own personal life and I am very grateful for the content and the amazing way in which Iryn Tushabe wrote this book.
May 16, 2025
3.5 Stars
Thank you to House of Anansi and Tandem Global Collective for sending me a copy of this book to read and review on the readalong.
I really love this cover and title, it’s very relatable and the cover is simplistic but eye catching. The story sounded very good when I first briefly read the synopsis, I do enjoy reading books set in different countries and getting to learn some of their culture. I didn’t realize that Uganda was a country where homosexuality was not allowed so now I know not to travel there. I commend Mbabazi for living her authentic self as best that she can while trying not to be killed for her decisions. I felt bad for her because I feel like no matter what she accomplished in the world her mother wouldn’t accept her because she is gay, she’s a doctor for crap sakes and still isn’t good enough. I loved that Aine didn’t care that her sister was gay she loved her no matter what. That’s the stance everyone should take and is very disheartening that’s it’s even an issue. I could relate to some of those coming out issues. This read definitely read like it could have been a true story so I liked that aspect.
I would recommend this read to others.
Thank you to House of Anansi and Tandem Global Collective for sending me a copy of this book to read and review on the readalong.
I really love this cover and title, it’s very relatable and the cover is simplistic but eye catching. The story sounded very good when I first briefly read the synopsis, I do enjoy reading books set in different countries and getting to learn some of their culture. I didn’t realize that Uganda was a country where homosexuality was not allowed so now I know not to travel there. I commend Mbabazi for living her authentic self as best that she can while trying not to be killed for her decisions. I felt bad for her because I feel like no matter what she accomplished in the world her mother wouldn’t accept her because she is gay, she’s a doctor for crap sakes and still isn’t good enough. I loved that Aine didn’t care that her sister was gay she loved her no matter what. That’s the stance everyone should take and is very disheartening that’s it’s even an issue. I could relate to some of those coming out issues. This read definitely read like it could have been a true story so I liked that aspect.
I would recommend this read to others.
April 20, 2026
Someone told me they really enjoyed one of this year's Forest of Reading picks, and I was searching for a good book and felt relieved to have one somebody I knew had vouched for. Turns out, they gave an approximation of the title, I made an approximation of what I remembered, and I ended up borrowing this one instead of the one they'd reviewed to me. Not a loss, though, as I still enjoyed this story! A coming-of-age story often appeals to something in me, and seeing Aine forming her identity around her reading tastes, her political opinions, the people she wishes to be affiliated with and the kind of person she wants to become were all portrayed with the tenderness and ferocity of age eighteen. It's a complicated tale, reckoning with emotional ties one has to their rural upbringing and the values that strain against the seams of the laws and social mores of the country she lives in. There's a familiarity in the tension of being ready to grow up, but grieving some of the old simplicity you lose along the way.
May 9, 2025
‘Everything Is Fine Here’ by Iryn Tushabe is a story about a complicated and controversial issue in Uganda however, told in a simple way.
The book is character driven and follows the main character Aine who is in the final stages of her school life and on a journey of becoming a compassionate, resilient and genuine person. Unexpectedly, her older sister who is carefree and lives on her own terms, makes an announcement to her that creates tension between the two and their parents - creating rifts that may be hard to overcome.
The greatest take away was character development and how the story was told. The book focuses on three characters who you grow to appreciate throughout the book if not right at the beginning. The subject of the book is complicated and still an ongoing issue in Uganda and I think it was important to portray and explain this through a storyline that people will always remember.
The book reminded me of complicated families who still find love with one another and there are two that I read recently that were similar - Secret Daughter and The Immortal Woman.
Thank you @houseofanansi for the copy and @tandemcollectiveglobal for the readalong!
#Everythingisfineherereadalong #TandemReadalong
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The book is character driven and follows the main character Aine who is in the final stages of her school life and on a journey of becoming a compassionate, resilient and genuine person. Unexpectedly, her older sister who is carefree and lives on her own terms, makes an announcement to her that creates tension between the two and their parents - creating rifts that may be hard to overcome.
The greatest take away was character development and how the story was told. The book focuses on three characters who you grow to appreciate throughout the book if not right at the beginning. The subject of the book is complicated and still an ongoing issue in Uganda and I think it was important to portray and explain this through a storyline that people will always remember.
The book reminded me of complicated families who still find love with one another and there are two that I read recently that were similar - Secret Daughter and The Immortal Woman.
Thank you @houseofanansi for the copy and @tandemcollectiveglobal for the readalong!
#Everythingisfineherereadalong #TandemReadalong
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