Who Will Catch Us As We Fall

by Iman Verjee

Growing up in the Nairobi of the 90s, a seething boiling pot of racial tension and conflicting cultural taboos, Leena and Jai are raised to believe in a Kenya full of possibility and potential. But as they come of age and venture into a world of underground activists beyond the confines of their tight-knit East Asian community and closely guarded, gated compound, they start to see a country divided by deep ethnic allegiances and on the brink of something very sinister. Soon Leena and Jai find themselves entangled in a shady world of crooked policemen, seedy salesmen, prostitutes, and bohemian artists. As the city tightens its grip, so begins a dangerous game of corruption and conspiracy, where rebellions simmer, and a tangled web of power unravels as dark forces collide and disturbing revelations surface.

A powerful tale of love and politics in contemporary Nairobi, Who Will Catch Us As We Fall depicts a Kenya on the cusp of change in all its complexity. Through two of the most memorable and remarkable characters in contemporary African fiction, Iman Verjee has penned a moving portrait of a family torn apart by national politics and prejudice, yet still painfully tethered together.

Genres: Fiction, Africa, Kenya, African Literature, Literary Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2016

About the author

Iman Verjee won the 2012 Peters Fraser & Dunlop/City University Prize for Fiction for her debut novel In Between Dreams, which she wrote whilst completing an MA in Creative Writing at City University. Prior to studying in London she studied psychology at the University of Alberta in Canada, where she lived for six years. She now lives in Nairobi, Kenya.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 stars.

A story set in current day Nairobi, which highlights the danger, corruption, poverty and racism there that is still alive and well today.

I was interested to learn of the (forced) mass exodus of the South Asian population in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa in the 70s. The book focuses on the wealthy Kohli family whose patriarch decided to stay, and the price that is paid for that decision. It also tells the moral dissolution of police officer, Jeffery, and how his story intersects with the Kohli family, with terrible consequences. As well, it is a love story.

I think the author is trying to tell us that Kenya is a wonderful and flawed place, and that all races deserve to live happily there, black or brown skinned alike. I get that 100%, but she didn't convince me why people would choose to live in Nairobi where it isn't safe to roll down your car window, and police officers are criminals with badges. I felt that Raj did his family a terrible disservice, and ultimately failed to protect them by stubbornly staying in a place that rejects his people with hostility and violence.

I have to say, it took me forever to get through this book. It had a slow and unremarkable beginning, and I left it for days between readings. I didn't feel attached to or particularly interested in the characters. I ploughed through it with determination, only because I felt compelled to give an honest review in exchange for the ARC that I received from Edelweiss.

[☮Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Nairobi, Kenya, is the setting.  1997 to 2007 is the time period, so it's modern  day.  But it doesn't feel very modern, as Kenya is still a tribal nation with tremendous poverty.  Leena and Jai  are sister and brother of Indian descent, living in an upper class  community apart from yet still among the natives with all the racial, political, and class struggles.  As children, their friends were all Indians except for one Kenyan, and their very traditional (snooty) mother did not approve.  I did not know that there was such a dominant Indian presence in Kenya, so found this very interesting.

There is a separate story of Jeffery, a black policeman who, like all other cops, has to take bribes in order to make a living.  He is not very likable but his part in the story helps to further illustrate the differences between the haves and have nots.

Poor natives being envious and angry at the wealthy foreigners -- this cannot end well.  And in my opinion, the ending was not a good one -- sort of non-committal, as in, Reader, you figure it out.  That was disappointing,  but overall a pretty good read. An ARC from LibraryThing.

[Julie Ambani · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Kenyan, I could relate to most of what has been mentioned in the book. It was interesting to learn some Kenyan facts along the way as well. The story was interesting, a bit predictable on my end, but all the same interesting. The beginning chapters of the book may require some patience but it does pick up. It took me a while to go through this book as I read it in intervals, but all the same, I'm glad I read it.

[Iveta · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved In Between Days and this next novel did not disappoint. Well captured, intense and fluid, Iman is the one to look out for.

[Ming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A winner! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The development of Jeffrey, Michael, Jai and Leena, who begin as innocent and idealistic, and as the book progresses, they become jaded and mature, is complex and plausible. I found these dimensions to be compelling despite each character's flaws and shortcomings. There are no tired and boring tropes here.

I liked the story, told in three timelines, as they reflect or reveal elements that propel the book to its end.

I will definitely read more of Verjee's writings.

[Amie-Rose Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really debated between giving this 3 or 4 stars. If the author had finished the story post-revelation and left those messy, thought-provoking loose ends, I would have given it 4. There is a charming, almost childlike quality to the way all the loose ends were so neatly tied up though and, for me, against the heaving, tangled, overwhelmingly messy backdrop of Nairobi and the political upheaval that accompanied the story, the neatness of the end just felt forced.

[Aarvin Varghese · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book.

[Wathingira Gituro · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) I had all sorts of feels reading this book! I really liked it and in some parts disliked it, sometimes in equal measure. So predictably I have a lot to say about it.

At its heart, this is a story about identity and belonging. What does it mean to be Kenyan and to be a Kenyan Indian. How do you belong to a place where there are invisible barriers between the races that are determined and designed to keep the races (and to some extent the tribes) apart.

It is about the social structures we all grow up with. We (black Kenyans) are socialised to see Indo-Kenyans as the other - not settlers (like our colonisers) but not indigenous either. They could be like our cousins but 'everyone' knows they are untrustworthy slave masters who will drive you to your grave with mistreatment and in a sense, better the white men who colonised us. They on the other hand are socialised to see black Kenyans as... (well, you will need to read the book).

It is also a story about our society and it's underbelly. The things we talk about in bars and with friends, decrying the sorry state of our country. The corruption et al. Those things we bristle at when foreigners (mostly journalists) focus on. @imanverjee attempts to shine a bright light on this and hold up a mirror to our faces - do you recognize yourself? This part of the story is full of idealism and hope. To an old cynic like me, this fell a little flat. To her credit, Verjee is never preachy in telling this tale. She doesn't have a fix-it solution. In fact the ending of the book illustrates to an extent the hopelessness if it all (though an optimist reading this will see it differently).

Verjee's prose is wonderful and engaging when she is talking through the emotions, aspirations and evolution of the characters. She has a beautiful way of engaging and describing things and feelings without it being over the top. Her characters evolve and get fleshed out as the book progresses - none more than Jeffrey a policeman who will at first strike you as unrealistic and stereotypical until you get to know him later in the book.

But there are parts that will rankle you. Part 1 and some sections of part 2 of this novel are not the strongest parts of the book. As the story is being set up, it can feel like it is another caricature with stereotypical cardboard cut characters. Another voice telling us what is wrong with our society (which we already know).

Kenyan readers may get a little rankled... with some stuff boring into your temples and making your ears grow hot. You might even be tempted to stop reading. I almost did!

But you mustn't!

Keep going and you may just learn something about your own biases!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leena, from the East Asian community has just returned to her hometown of Nairobi after a three year absence, when this book begins. She left after an unspecified incident and in the first chapter she is trying to come to terms with her homecoming. The book then moves back into the past telling the story of Leena, her brother Jai and their African friend Michael. Other characters are slowly introduced, particularly Jeffery a disillusioned policeman, and the story moves forward pulling all the participants together, explaining what prompted Leena to leave Nairobi. The friendship between Leena and Michael is rekindled, even though this may be difficult for her community to accept.

I found this book highly enjoyable. It was full of well developed characters, within the bustling, cosmopolitan Nairobi. I particularly liked that there were numerous stories within this story and each character has something to give to the overall story. The motivations and actions of characters let the reader see just how diverse life in Nairobi is and the obstacles faced by many. Overall, it was an intense and well observed book. It also gave me a glimpse into the East Asian community in Nairobi and it's relationship with other communities in the city. I only wish the ending hadn't been as abrupt as it was. After such a long, intertwined intense story I would have enjoyed a more drawn out ending that left fewer open questions. But, having said that, this is an author I would definitely read again, without hesitation.

Thanks to Library Thing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
More reviews at: www.susannesbooklist.blogspot.com

[Baljit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three young people come together by circumstance. Michael’s mother is a domestic in the household of Jai and Lena’s parents. They form a bond of friendship. But in post colonial Kenya, some differences are hard to breach.

Jeffery is a policeman struggling to support his mother. The pressure to succumb to corruption escalates and he finds himself embroiled in the underworld.

Spanning their lives over two decades, their worlds collide in a tangle of crime and violence.

[Lael Braday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iman Verjee weaves a complex story involving an Indo-Kenyan family, several Afro-Kenyan families, and poverty and corruption as visceral entities. Jumping around in time was my least favorite aspect of the novel. I appreciated the current event references and how how they affected all characters. I especially liked how Verjee laid out step by step the the seemingly unavoidable path to corruption for the police officer, from the slums to chief, and his redemption in the end. The love story glimpsed through the struggles was carefully written, and ending with the unity of the lovers was brilliant.

[Johnny G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover was the best part of this book. I get the theme: Nairobi is a diverse, complicated city and those who dream of other ambitions or places do not forget that their flawed home is still wonderful, warts and all. Corrupt cops, naive protesting students, siblings with different perspectives...got it. Couldn’t capture my interest, though. I’ll stick to Mankell, Theroux or The Blue Hour by Douglas Kennedy if I want to read some better fiction about the dark continent.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw Nairobi

Uncomfortable, but real. For those of us who know Nairobi, what makes us angry about her, but love her still.

[Fadillah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raj swallowed down his building aggression. "Thank you for calling”. He put the phone down and turned to his son, who was standing beside him. "You heard that?' "Yes. 'You know, the people with the kindest hearts are often the ones who get trampled on the most. That doesn't mean you stop being generous, understood?' Raj gazed down at the phone, thinking of the man and what Pio might have done and his anger slowly broke apart. He said to Jai, 'One day, you will be called upon to do the right thing and nothing else will matter except that you do it. African, Indian, Gorah, it doesn't matter when we are all Kenyans?
- Who will catch us as we fall by Iman Verjee
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At some point, the book was brutal. At some point, the book was thought provoking. At some point, the book was was remarkable. At some point, the book was disappointing. I dont really mind the disjointed parts - where we go from the adult version of Leena, Jai and Micheal to their childhood where they played together even at that time the class and racial differences were kept on being drawn by Pooja, Leena and Jai’s mother. Pooja was such irritating and racist through and through till the end (and i am not surprised such character existed in real life). Raj, Leena and Jai’s father is an idealistic figure and have always believe that they are Kenyans, they need to be united as one, and proud to be part of the country. This lessons drove Jai to fight for what is right despite his privileges and grew up in rich family. Leena, on the other hand, was forced to agree with her mother and was forbidden to mingle with ‘Khariya’ - Thus she lived quite a sheltered life until she returned back from overseas after she went there for her studies. I am not Kenyan but i do believe this is derogatory term to refer to African. The book also alternately introduced us to Jeffery, a corrupt police officers who have betrayed his friend that led to his own demise, then took his friend’s wife to alleviate his guilt. Jeffery, then involved in some shady activity to resolve his debt but this is where it got entangled with Jai and Leena’s family. Leena never moved on from that tragedy and ran away from Kenya. I dont want to spoil the ending by writing more so i will stop here. However, once i finished the book i can actually the parallel of Kenyan Society with Malaysian Society. The british colonisation brought over immigrants from China / India and once they left, these immigrants become part of the society. However, despite having been in the country for so long, living side by side - the suspicions, prejudices and insinuations between each other was always there. It was so apparent that they were divided especially during the election. Alot of what i assumed as racial slurs were being integrated in story to show that there’s always ‘we versus them’ / Khariya Versus Muhindi and the idea that this is not their country or they dont belong here. One chapter try to show how deeply divided they are by highlighting after Jeffery saw how wealthy Jai’s family and how big his house is, this is what he said to his friend:
As Betty climbed out, Jeffery spoke, staring up at the rise and fall of the impressive home.
"It doesn't make you angry?' She paused, one leg still in the car, her eyes craned downward.
'What?' "That this isn't even their country and yet they get to enjoy every part of it while were the ones made to suffer.' Overall, the book offered a realistic story with a glimpse of hope at the end of it. It talked about how broken society can be with unending poverty, fueled by corruption and breach of trust. It demonstrated how a nation progressed without true unity that it can be so volatile that any incidents may spark racial violence. Admittedly, It was depressing but i am glad i finished the book.
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P/S: Can somebody enlightened me why Raj, Pooja, Leena and Jai was categorised as someone belonged in East Asian Community in Kenyan Society? Because from the description and even when i am finished with the book, i can see clearly they belonged to South Asian Community. Is there any reason for specifically in Kenya or is it just a blunder made by the publisher of the book?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only closed minds came with closed mouths. --spray-painted graffiti by Michael

You know, the people with the kindest hearts are often the ones who get trampled on the most. That doesn't mean you stop being generous, understood?" Raj gazed down at the phone, thinking of the man and what Pio might have done and his anger slowly broke apart. He said to Jai, "One day, you will be called upon to do the right thing and nothing else will matter except that you do it. African, Indian, Gorah, it doesn't matter when we are all Kenyans."



~~The Kibera slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya--one of the largest urban slums in the world. Leena's brother, Jai, muses, "You meet a lot of angry people, most of it stemming from the fact that they have been forgotten by the government, left to live and die in the worst conditions imaginable, and there comes a point when they just need someone to blame." One of those angry people becomes a policeman, and his escalating corruption and greed has far-reaching consequences for Leena, Jai, and Michael.

First two sentences: Leena watches as the massive, thundering engines of the Kenya Airways Boeing 747 airplane pushes out streams of straw-colored jet fuel, breaking the thinning cover of clouds below to reveal the dreary buildings that form Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. She has always enjoyed looking at the city from such a great height--so structured that it reminds her of a dollhouse she used to own.

My two cents: Verjee was born and raised in Nairobi...and it shows. She describes her birth city in detail, and transports us readers to the bustling streets. While there is political and police corruption, wide-spread crime, and areas of crippling poverty, there is is also a melting pot of vibrant cultures. Verjee develops her characters quite well. I especially enjoyed Leena, Michael, and Jai. Given 3.5 stars or a rating of "Very Good." Recommended as a library checkout for those who enjoy being immersed into diverse cultures and places.

Favorite quotes: Throwing herself back onto the seat with a dramatic flourish, Leena knows that she is being difficult but has found that anger and indignation are the safest responses in times of turmoil. Simple emotions, capable of generating just enough feeling without complicated layers to sift through. Once you push deeper, when you open yourself up to sorrow and fear, it becomes impossible to re-emerge, and even if you do, there is no guarantee you will be the same.

~~Arguing with his father was impossible. Jai had recognized early on the burden that had been placed upon him but was now old enough to reach the conclusion that while having your own hopes could be thrilling, being forced to carry someone else's was exhausting.

~~It was easy for Jeffery to recognize the side effects of prolonged addiction to chang'aa . The place his father used to frequent tended to add other substances such as jet-fuel, embalming fluid or battery acid to give the drink an extra kick, and although many who enjoyed it suffered
from blindness or death, the only horrific consequence of his father's habit had been his temper.

~~Her cheeks stung at the memory, a bittersweet ache in her chest because she wanted to relive the thrill of that moment, if only once more. Everything is going to be okay, he had promised, and she collected up those words, felt as if they were important but was uncertain as to why they were, gathered them up and stored them lovingly in the treasure box of her memories--a shining, perfect diamond amongst so much, now irrelevant, clutter.

~~That is what had impressed her about life in Britain; one never had to worry about suffering through any shame for having fun.

~~When she fired his mother, Michael had pretended not to know the real reason because he hadn't wanted Angela to be right. He had ignored her warnings and lied to himself that the differences between the Kohlis and them didn't matter--and then had been appalled to find that they were the only things that did. He knew that, in her own way, Pooja had been afraid of him.

~~All he was thinking of was every wrong choice he had ever made and how, if he had been different, he would have allowed himself to fall in love with the quiet yet headstrong housemaid--how everything he had ever been greedy for was now worn out and foul and all those things he had abandoned only aching, incurable regrets.

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 3 out of 5]

//3.5//

This was a really enjoyable read which centers themes of belonging, isolation, corruption, harm and protection, revolution, community, love, friendship and safety.

I really liked the writing style, it was compelling and easy to read but still had beautiful descriptions.


I think the character depth and the important characters in terms of book time and plot were reversed and it would have been a stronger book if this were not the case. We start with Leena, Jai, Micheal and Pooja (their mother) and these are the best developed characters that feel most real. Despite this, a large section of the book focuses on backstory which is great in terms of plot and diction but lacks character depth a little bit. This concerns Jeffrey and David and Davids Wife. I would have liked to be a bit more invested in these characters and at the same time the plot concerning Leena and Jai and Micheal and Pooja could have been further fleshed out.

The book is in 5 parts, the first part was my favourite and immediately pulled me in and gave me a sense of the family dynamic, a mystery and the setting. The second part I didnt care about that much when I was reading it as I wanted to go back to the characaters from part 1 and it was only at the end when I saw how part 2 linked in with the characters from part 1 that I liked having been told everything I was more.

„He crumpled the letter and pushed it into his glass, which was still a quarter full of whiskey. The alcohol flooded the paper, its stiffness slowly collapsing until their secret taunts were nothing but smoky ribbons of ink, escaping the note and staining the ink black.“

„Some things we have to move on from or we will waste away from wanting them so badly.“

„Yet her loveliness had carved a permanent home in his every thought so that whenever he shut his eyes, there she was...“

„Yes, the money had raised him from the muddy, shit-stained slums of his childhood, away from depravity and death, but had filled him with something infitely worse.“

„Because people offered it thenselves, because so many Kenyans were willing to pay their way out of the law - to take the shortest route - it never felt like stealing.“

„Leena knows that she is being difficult but has found that anger and indignation are the safest responses in times of turmoil. Simple emotions, capable of generating just enough feeling without complicated layers to sift through. Once you push deeper, when you open yourself up to sorrow and fear, it becomes impossible to re-emerge, and even if you do, there is no guarantwe that you will be the same.“

Imagery of vultures throughout as circling the dead, clutching at corruption.

[Muthoni Muiruri · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book club had been debating on whether to have this book as a club read for some months and so when we finally settled on it as our Oct/Nov read, I jumped straight into it but I must admit I was tempted to put it down a number of times. I however managed to soldier on and finished in a couple of days.
 
Set wholly in Kenya (which I loved), the book revolves around the wealthy Kohli Family, an East Asian family living in Nairobi; their struggle to ‘identify’ as Kenyans whilst not completely alienating their tight knit East Asian community by being ‘Too Kenyan’. The matriarch of the family, Pooja, is the stereotypical overbearing mother, too concerned with appearances and what other people think, she has her kids’ lives all planned out down to when and to whom they will marry.

The husband, Raj, was for me a confused and confusing character. Jai, the rebel of the family who wants to do what’s right and crawl out from under his father’s shadow and Leena, who much of the book is focused on, the self-absorbed, conflicted girl, who can’t seem to get away from her mother’s tight grip.

And then there is Jeffrey, the good, then rogue, then good again cop. The book addresses Jeffrey’s struggle, his moral decay and how his life intersects with the Kohlis with devastating consequences.
 
I thought the book was an accurate, though at times an embarrassing and cringe worthy mirror into the Kenyan society. It paints a true image of the corruption within the police force and the willingness of the citizenry to aid and abet these corrupt practices by not wanting or willing to deal with an already failing system. The book also reflects on the divide between the African Kenyans and the Asian Kenyans. The biased stereotypes held by each group and how relations between them are often marred with mistrust and disdain; with intentions towards each other not always pure. It also dabbles in a bit of politics.

Whilst this was a fast read, I felt that the writing was too text bookish – with essay-like commentaries and explanations in regular intervals scattered throughout the book which I did not care much for and consequently ruined my overall enjoyment of the book. There was also no profound ‘Wow’ or light bulb moment. The story is simple and not in any way meant to sway your mindset or re-evaluate your biases. I felt that the entire book was just a mirror, enabling the reader to introspect and recognize their biases but easily forget and carry on as per usual once the book was finished. The book missed an opportunity to ignite a spark of change in the Kenyan reader. But maybe that was not the purpose of the book?

Overall, it’s an interesting story and I was curious to know how things would pan out, however, this did not make it to #bookhangover. 2.7 Stars

[Honeypie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book made me not want to visit Kenya. Lol. The adventurous side of me was a bit scared. Hahaha!

Anyway, I love the story. It was well written, kept me engaged (well, and a bit scared lol), as well as wondered, "Do I love my country as much as some of the characters in the book did?"

It was a bit confusing at first, because there were a lot of characters and the scenes kept moving from one to another fairly fast. But overall, I enjoyed reading about it. One can easily finish it in one sitting, though there are some sensitive and heavy scenes, where I needed to take a breather.

There was this one scene that affected me a bit. Maybe because I was kinda going through the same thing. Scene: When Betty (the maid) arrived in the morning to her employer's house with all the dishes from last night just left on the sink, waiting to be washed, she started feeling annoyed and irritated, that her employers couldn't even rinse them... It's hard. But I think it's still her job. In the first place, they hired her because they couldn't (or didn't want to) do it. She was given a job to do, and she is being paid to do that job. That is my take, at least, in that situation. You shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you, unless of course they're feeding you poison. Just saying... Anyway. I related to that scene because of current personal circumstances. And my main takeaway is to not feed "bad" thoughts in your mind. Easier said than done, of course. But you have to at least try to overcome those bad thoughts, because they can lead to annoyance, irritation... and hate. And once you're in that circle, it's going to be hard to step out.

At the end of the day, we don't know what other people are going through. But they don't also know what we're going through. There's no just one path in life to take. I'd say just do our best, and be our best. And that best should always be good. It ought to be right? (Good > Better > Best, haha)

Still, all good. I'd recommend this book.

---

'When I was away, I would be so homesick. I think I made up memories of this place. But now that I'm back, I find that it's not really that rosy.'


'Money is extremely important to me.'
'It's not everything.'
'Yet without it, what is the standard of life?'

[Abena Karikari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The story follows Leena, her brother Jai and their housemaid’s son Michael from when they meet as kids, part ways and eventually reunite when they’re in their 20s. Leena and Jai are Indian-Kenyan, middle class, privileged and we see them grow as they grapple with the different expectations their parents have of them. Michael is a native/indigenous Kenyan, whose entrance/entry into their bubble brings to the fore various racist beliefs held by their mother and most of the community, and the racial tensions that emerge as a result . Though I enjoyed the writing and general premise of this book, I found the racial stereotypes and (mis)representations quite problematic. Jai and his father Raj are portrayed as open minded and egalitarian revolutionaries but come across as “brown saviours”, coming to the aid of the black Kenyans who are mostly portrayed as either helpless, envious and/or incapable of resisting the temptation to engage in corruption and bribery and whatever means necessary to make money. The only major black character imbued with intelligence and positive traits, Michael, is made to look like the exception. His love for Leena comes across as obsessive while Leena is able to move on with her life and easily forget him till they meet again.
In spite of all these issues I enjoyed the writing style, which was easy to follow and kept the story moving for me. Also the story highlights some of the issues both parents and children have to deal with as the children become adults. The power parents have in shaping the ambitions, life values and beliefs of their children is clearly portrayed and I found that quite relatable. Overall a well written book, with the exception of the racial stereotypes presented.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Nairobi, Kenya, Iman Verjee captures the erosion of the soul, erosion of hope so well. Concentrating on the viewpoint of South Asians (known as muhindis) living in Kenya was different and brought to the forefront the fraught racial relations between them and the local Kenyans. However, Leena as a young self-absorbed girl who later falls in love with a local gave it a YA flavor which detracted from more sobering contemplative issues. In contrast, the entirely plausible road of moral degradation that Jeffrey the policeman experienced was fascinating. Even the senior Kohli patriarch who starts off idealistic and then heaps all his patriotic hopes on his son Jai causing immense pressure is interesting. I would have loved to hear more of the inner thoughts and hopes of the bullied and downtrodden that the powerful claim to protect and represent; such as that of Angela, the Kohlis' maid of 12 years who is fired without any just cause. There seemed to be an inordinate number of coincidental unknown relationships between some of the characters (can't elaborate without spoiling) which required a suspension of belief.

The characterizations, by and large, were excellent. Iman Verjee exhibits a sharp insight into hidden human motivation and agendas; such as that of a university protest leader who is not what he claims to be. The subsequent discussion between the university students of what makes a Kenyan a Kenyan was also quite thought-provoking.

Corruption, bribery, survival and greed are exhibited front and centre. The book made me feel despair: will things ever change for the better for Kenya? Are the peoples' hope always displaced?

[Tony Wainaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me some time to get stuck into it, but I’m really glad I persevered. From the outset, a few grammatically incorrect Kiswahili phrases threw me off. Not sure if this was Iman’s intention or not. If not - I was disappointed by her sloppiness, not taking the trouble to get it right. If so - an honest representation of the Kenyan muhindi’s or mzungu’s lackadaisical corruption of, and failure to grammatically grasp the Kiswahili language. Cases in point -
On page 3: Flight attendant’s Kiswahili announcement of Welcome to Nairobi -
“Kuwakaribisha kwa Nairobi”.
On page 9: “Kunisaidia mama” instead of “Nisaidie mama”.
“Tu kitu kidogo” instead of “Kitu kidogo tu”. Literal but grammatically incorrect translation.
On page 223: “David ni wapi?” As asked by the Indian owner of electronics store
On page 243: “Pale zote”.
Kiswahili editing aside, I actually enjoyed the book, the deeper I dove into Iman’s converging tapestry of tales and characters woven around the chief protagonists, Michael and Leena. Iman has done a great job telling the story of a Kenyan Indian family’s story through two generations. Culture, prejudices, stereotypes, community expectations - they all weigh in on what paints the picture of typical family life, no matter the ethnic orientation.
Iman, thank you for telling the story I’ve been waiting to be written. Capturing the paradox that makes Nairobi impossible yet irresistible. So brutally and tragically familiar-as portrayed by Jeffrey’s journey.
Yet so compellingly familiar - I would not want to call any other place home. And yes....love eventually conquers all😊

[Sharvari Pardhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Who Will Catch Us As We Fall" by Iman Verjee is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel. A friend passed it to me after finding it too slow, but I ended up really enjoying it. The story explores the lives of Indians living in Kenya, capturing both cultural richness and historical depth. I appreciated how the book highlights the legacy of Indian communities who’ve been there since before independence, and how they navigate daily life amidst political instability and social tension. One of the most striking aspects is how the novel portrays the deep-rooted corruption in Kenya—how it stifles progress, fuels unrest, and affects every layer of society. It makes you reflect on your own country too; even if a nation appears developed, the presence of such corruption can hold back its growth in similar ways. Despite the hardships, the book beautifully captures the resilience and hope of Kenya’s youth, who still dream of a better, more just future. The narrative is powerful, unique, and deeply human, I’m really glad I got the chance to read it.

[Melissa Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was descriptive and made you see all the colors and vibrancy of Nairobi. But I also think the author spent more time on this then the actual story. In the beginning, the story of the characters drew you in. However, this book felt a bit incomplete. Describing Micheal and his drawings, I was surprised as it was never mentioned, even in his younger years, that he liked to draw in the first place. It threw me for a bit of a loop. His mother was completely out of the picture as he got older and little was said about her, opposite of the beginning chapters of the story. Also when Leena returned to Nairobi, Jai said he had something to tell her. What was it? Please don't tell me it was Michael because I could have sworn it was something deeper. Did I miss something? The whole story took to long to tell and unlike most books, I was not in a rush to finish it. It actually felt like the author was rushed into finishing it.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took me a very long time to get through this book. The writing is good, no problems there. In fact, for a random book off the library shelf based on the cover, it is remarkably good. It was hard to read because of the subject. Right away you know the book is working towards some terrible event and I did not want that event to come (turns out by the time it does come, it is so anticipated that it was not shocking not as graphic or long as I feared). There is another storyline about a corrupt cop that is so hopeless and disheartening that it is hard to read it. While the three main characters in the first storyline are all nice enough, I was not drawn to any of them, did not love anyone, was rather indifferent. Makes it easy to ignore a book in favour of other books or activities. I kept with it because I appreciate reading about a place I know very little about (Nairobi, Kenya) but I could not push this book on anyone else.

[Sandra The Old Woman in a Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

I both enjoyed and learned from this book. It focusses on the challenges facing Kenya and Nairobi specificaly as they relate to corruption, wealth disparity and conflicts between ethnic groups. It is written by an ethnic Asian Kenyan woman and that perspective is identifiable in the book. I once lived near Nairobi and I recognized the city from many perspectives. I was not part of the expat community but integrated into a native Kenyan and cross cultural/tribal work group while I was there. Coming from the US where I was familiar with white/black racism I remember clearly the shock I felt seeing that there were equally strong biases across groups that would be indestinguishable in my native country. This awakening/awareness has impacted me to this day. From that background it is not surprising that I found this book facinating, remotely familiar, frustrating and promising. Kenya is complicated. This book is exemplary of why I read.

[Brandon Opondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

<3.75 stars>
An interesting read that sheds light on the sad state of politics in Kenya as well as the systemic corruption in the police force.The story also touches on the election violence of 2007-2008, that remains a scar in Kenya's past.
The fact that it sheds light on the Indian community in Kenya adds to its appeal.Following on the story of the Kohli family and the forbidden love that brews between Michael and Leena.

A slow read for the first couple of chapters , but as the plot thickens it becomes irresistable.
The ending was a little disappointing though.
I have nothing against fairy tales. But seeing as the author had led us to see how deeply fragmented the society is on ethnic lines and the role identity plays in shaping one's life, the ending was a little idealistic.

[Nyaradzo Mushangwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually wanted to rate it 3.5/5. Oh gosh, it took me so long to finish this book. I really struggled to find time to read in 2018. This book hit home as it resembles alot of what is going on in my country (Zimbabwe) right now. It depicts how even the most upright can get sucked into corrupt activities. Its very sad how when corruption takes over a nation, those fighting for good may seem to be fighting a losing battle. Some parts of the book are bit unreal, with too many coincidences, almost as if you are in a fairytale.

[Helen J Altshul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book feels like the author was trying to write everything she knows about Kenya in one book, which makes the plot disjointed. Some characters and events (for example, the student riots) are superfluous and it's not clear what main message she wants to convey. A few facts are also completely wrong, like travelling to Busia via Meru and the Rift Valley viewpoint (which are in opposite directions). Overall, interesting to have a book written from the perspective of an Asian Kenyan, but also quite frustrating and could have used some firm editing.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An educational and compelling insight into growing up in multi-ethnic Nairobi. The book shows the greyness of human character. How we can lose our way ethically but find our way back. How we choose to let life happen to us or choose to live the life we really want.

'What else do policemen do here?' Esther cocked her eyebrow.
'He stole from everybody he could and then blamed the govern-ment, as if we have no control over our actions. As if the injustice done to us gives us the right to treat others so poorly.