Dove l'aria è più dolce

by Tasneem Jamal

Nel 1972 il dittatore Idi Amin espelle più di ottantamila cittadini indiani dall'Uganda: intere generazioni si ritrovano senza più nulla, e con appena novanta giorni di tempo per fuggire, in un vortice surreale di caos e violenza. Ambientato in Uganda tra il 1921 e il 1975, questo splendido romanzo d'esordio racconta la storia di Raju, arrivato dall'India per cercare fortuna, e della sua famiglia, in una società postcoloniale sempre più stratificata e complessa. Amori, sacrifici e successi s'intrecciano fino alla frattura dell'esilio, quando tutto va in pezzi e bisogna ricominciare da capo. Eppure, agli occhi della piccola Shama, "casa" rimane un concetto astratto: può esistere ovunque ci sia la famiglia, al di là dei cambiamenti, delle privazioni; a volte cresce, a volte rimpicciolisce, e quando viene distrutta, basta ricostruirla "dove l'aria è più dolce".

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Canada, Africa, Book Club, Cultural, Adult Fiction

348 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

About the author

Tasneem Jamal was born in Mbarara, Uganda, and immigrated to Canada in 1975. Her debut novel Where the Air Is Sweet was published to critical acclaim in 2014. That same year she was named one of 12 rising CanLit stars on CBC's annual list of Writers to Watch. Her writing has appeared in Chatelaine, Saturday Night magazine, and the Literary Review of Canada. She is the writing coach of The X Page Storytelling Workshop and an editor at The New Quarterly literary magazine. Her second novel, I Never Said That I Was Brave, published by House of Anansi, will be released on September 17, 2024. She lives in Kitchener.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This things packs a hefty emotional wallop. A semi-autobiographical account of the expulsion of nearly 80,000 Asians from Uganda during the reign of Idi Amin. Relegated to a footnote in the history books the exiled Asians had called Uganda home for generations. Had built businesses, families, lives in their adopted country only to be told they had 90 days to leave.

It’s an incredibly beautiful story. Raju’s early encounter with the boy Prem is finely wrought and echoes the larger theme of the book. There are so many interconnected themes shot throughout.

The book stands on it’s own merits. But as added bonus, author Tasneem Jamal is from Kitchener. The family’s journey there references local landmarks like the Schneider’s highway sign and Howard Robertson school for that giddy feeling of familiarity.

This is one of those books you just want everyone to read.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through a First Reads giveaway.

Tasneem Jamal's debut novel Where The Air Is Sweet chronicles the lives of three generations of a South Asian family living in Uganda and culminates in the violent and upheaving years of Idi Amin's rule. This book was well written, engaging, and intelligent, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who likes literary fiction or just wants a substantial and satisfying read. If this is all you need to read to decide to pick up this book, you can stop here; however, if you want to know a bit more about why this book really appealed to me, read on. It's not so much a spoiler in terms of plot, but perhaps a bit of a diversion that has to do with my own areas of interest.

As someone who studied postcolonial literature in university, I think one of the most interesting (and appealing) aspects of this novel is that it addresses the postcolonial environment/society/condition from yet another group that was both affected by, and at times involved in, the stratification and control of an "other."

People often think of colonialism and post colonialism as being concerned with the simple dichotomy of colonizer/colonized, which can imply that one is either/or and fails to acknowledge that one could possibly be both, or at least sometimes complicit with either side. Jamal's characters struggle with these dichotomies and relationships, and the novel provides insights into the South Asian experience in Uganda, class, ethnic rivalry, and ethnic privileging that could make for interesting discussion.

What I really like is that Jamal makes no attempt to ignore or minimize those larger issues throughout the novel, and these tensions and conflicts play out within a character's internal dialogue, in the family dynamic, and on the larger stage of Uganda itself. It reminds you that colonialism and decolonization are more than just political terms, periods, or movements that we study and talk about, and it demonstrates how people were both involved in, and impacted by, these events.

Well written, moving, insightful, and thought provoking, this novel is definitely worth picking up this summer.

[DeB · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be continued... a very formal novel, with its Indian immigrant head of household in Uganda trying to uphold his customs and social standards while his children struggle to find independence. The country, meanwhile, undergoes its own growing pains as the strongest tribe insists on its supremacy on its release from colonial power Britain, which creates suspicion and discontent amongst its citizens. (Slow paced, well written but not great for my presently foggy, flu-recovering brain.) To be returned to...

[Angela Arenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story and beautifully written. As a first generation Canadian, felt like she was telling my family's story.

[Jamila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging story and an easy read. Probably 5-stars worth of impact on me simply because the story is so relevant to my family’s history. This is the first book I’ve found that tells the story of Ismaili families across the generations that went from India to East Africa to Canada/UK. The storytelling was compelling and I felt like I knew the characters and clearly see elements of them in my extended family. I particularly enjoyed the Gujarati, Swahili, and Hindi peppered into conversation.

[Patsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so lucky and so grateful that I live "where the air is sweet". The author took me to Uganda to feel the effects of Idi Amin on Raju & Rehmat's family. A story of strength, love, horror, desperation and inspiration too. Beautifully written. Congratulations Tasneem Jamal.
P. 250
"Raju spends the afternoons lying on his bed, unable to sleep, thinking of the times he turned away from Rehmat, the minutes, the hours, the days he refused to speak to her. One day, he counts each moment he withheld his love from her, each moment he rejected hers. If he could have them back, he would have months with her. He would have years. He reaches his arms out to the empty side of the bed, begging silently, foolishly, for those moments. For her. "
P. 261
"We have allowed in tens of thousands of Asians from Uganda." The agent is speaking loudly and slowly. "Our resources are limited, sir." Then in a lower voice: "We can't accept every poor refugee who wants to come into our country."
"For hundreds of years you walked into other people's countries," Raju says. The agent turns, and for the first time, looks at him. "My people's countries." Raju pushes his finger roughly into his own chest. "And took anything you wanted. Still," he says, his body beginning to shake, "you don't have enough?"

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved it! I haven't rated a book five stars this calendar year and finally this one comes along... it had tonnes of detail, which I sometimes skimmed over, but it made the story seem real. It's based on true events - my favorite type of book! This book gave me compassion for immigrants, refugees, language barriers, and so much pride for my country! Glad to have finished this book the day before Canada day.

[Kelsey Mangeni (kman.reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in my own micro-niche of Idi Amin-adjacent novels. I started this one while on our trip to Uganda and finished it up when we returned home. It is a sweeping saga of a family in free fall. I’ve read several now in this vein and this one might be a good one to start with because the Asian expulsion was the entire plot, there was only some new-to-me story lines towards the very end.

3.5 stars

[Sheri-lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book reading this article:

http://www.chatelaine.com/living/real...

It made me want to read the book, and I'm glad I did.

Familiar (i.e. my time in Uganda...and Kenya). Beautifully written. A story I found some attachment to having Asian Ugandan friends in Canada (in Eastern Africa, Asian means South Asian...India, Pakistan...). Idi Amin was in power from 1971 to 1979 around when I was born so what I know of him and his regime is generalized information. It's amazing how stories can speak so much more to the human condition and what history books/articles/etc. report.

I'm very happy to see how Canada is portrayed in this book, helping refugees, but sadly I also hear from some Canadians the same things Africans said, "The Asians are a problem. They have stolen our jobs, our country." or worded other ways "They come to take advantage of our free medicare and education." I wish those people would take the time to hear these 'Asians' stories of what they endured to get to this safe country, and how incredibly thankful they are to have this chance to live freely and safely. And, finally, to recognize that everyone deserves these basic rights.

[Shasta Matova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing a book like this one, I imagine would be complicated. To explain a family saga is difficult enough, but one that spans a long time period, and the complex set of circumstances that lead the family to hop from one country to another to another and another can't be easy. The fact that this is based on historical events makes it even more difficult, but it is an important book because it shares the story of a part of history that is sometimes forgotten.

Tasneen managed to clearly do all of that. I was familiar with the history of the Ugandan Asians, but this book managed to surprise me with details I had not considered, particularly in what happened after Idi Amin's deadline. The story is written in fiction form, although I suspect that there is a great deal that is biographical, and all of the characters are shown in full form, both the good and the bad, although Mumtaz seems unbelievably ahead of her time.

I wish she had provided a bibliography of her references and a summary of what parts were real and which parts were fiction.

[Ellyn Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully told story of love and great loss, hard-work and success, cultural expectations and transitions people make through living and learning from their experiences. Tasneem Jamal brings together a very personal family story, a fascinating country, Indian culture and extreme political upheaval to produce an engaging and hopeful novel. Despite tragedy and displacement and human frailties this is a book full of hope and joy. Well worth the read. You'll know more about the history of Uganda that has a very Canadian dimension to it and may very well understand just a little bit more about the very real human need to belong and be accepted.

[Eric Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saga of an Ismaili, Indian family in Uganda leading up to and through the terrible years of Idi Amin. This family saga spans the years 1929 to 1975. In 1972, Idi Amin expelled 80,000 Asians from Uganda even though most came from families that had spent generations there and developed thriving businesses. In this story, Jamal describes the life of Raju and his family from difficulties to success then trauma as Idi Amin institutes a state of terror. The book also gives us a sense of the natural wonder and warmth of Africa and the challenges of forced immigration to England and Canada. The story is character driven giving us glimpse of the life and love of key characters.

[Mavis Thresher]

An epic family saga that charts three generations of an Indian family in Uganda. In 1972, dictator Idi Amin expelled 80,000 South Asians from Uganda. Though many had lived in East Africa for generations, they were forced to flee in ninety days as their country descended into a surreal vortex of chaos and murder. Most of this story focused on family culture and dynamics rather than what Idi Amin did to destroy Uganda. He was initially not taken very seriously by the British, especially when he demanded that the Queen should visit him for talks, but he turned into a murderous despot, killing thousands of Africans, but it was the south Asians that received most of the world's attention.

[Evaleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing story following three generations of a family responding to political and economic ebbs and flows, moving through the individual lives of characters who are full of flaws and full of wisdom. The characters grow and change quickly and quietly, sucking you into each new chapter without obvious reason.

The women carry the story, carry the family, and carry the truth, while the men carry the pot of gold, staggering under its weight.

[Craig Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and a compelling tale. It grabs you from the beginning and once it does you'll hang on to it like a friend you can't bear to part with.

[Wendy Kropf-cotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I learned some historical facts too. It was an easy read and captivating. I hope to read more books by this author. And we live in the same city...how cool is that?

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intricately crafted story of an Ismaili family living in Uganda that spans three generations. Prior to African independence, many south Asians relocated to the British colonies for opportunities in business that were lacking in their own country. This story begins in 1924 and spans the decades up to and including the menacing reign of Idi Amin in the seventies. Through the patriarch Raju, his wife and sons and their wives and children we gain insights into their culture and lifestyle as they build lives and businesses in this beautiful country that went from British protectorate to independence in the span of 30 or so years. A thought-provoking tale as these Asians, colonized by the British, are now the colonists establishing their life in Uganda. They identify as Ugandans and are completely taken aback when, after many years of living and operating businesses in the country, the African residents begin to exert their rights to the land and commerce of the nation. We see the horror and terror that Amin exerts on the residents; both on the African soldiers and administrators who supported his predecessor and on the many Asians who had settled there. We feel the sense of uncertainty as our family is forced out of the only home they’ve know to immigrate yet again in either the UK or Canada. These political undercurrents are the thread of this story but the heart of it is about family, loyalty and what it means to have a home.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a family who lived in Uganda for many generations. When Idi Amin came to power he expelled 80,000 South Asians. Raju, the grandfather, Jaafar, the son and his wife and two children end up travelling first to Britain, then to Kitchen, Ontario, back to Uganda, then back to Canada again. The families affected had 3 months to leave. Their belongings could be packed in a cargo crate where it was promised to be sent but this didn't happen. The Ugandans pilfered through the crates, stealing anything of value. Many of the families had businesses which they tried to sell but were unable to or had to sell at a low value, their bank accounts assets also frozen.
The writer was born in Uganda and immigrated to Canada with her family in 1975. She thanks her grandfather and parents for sharing their stories. This tells me that this book is based on their lives.

pg 225 - "There is very little gold. They have very little worth in this world. But they are the only wealth I brought into my marriage." Mumtaz's reply to her mother in law - "You brought you".
pg 263 - Sometimes, all yo need to do is shine a bright light on people. It is in the dark that we lose sight of our good sense.
pg 347 - If you are hiding, you won't see the good things.

[Fire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like Where The Air Is Sweet, but unfortunately found it to have an interesting concept with weak plot and characters. This book should be firmly grounded in "place," as in, what makes the concept interesting is the idea of multiple generations of Indian-Ugandans and the question of potential political power dynamics as people from a former colony. However, much of the Uganda-set portion of the book (which was most of the book) could have been set anywhere and would not have impacted the plot significantly. Only a couple characters felt complex and well-rounded, but it felt like the author couldn't commit to their development, so they would often act in a way that felt out of character. I continued reading in hopes that these problems would be addressed, but there were only a few glimpses of improvement throughout.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roman over een interessante periode in de Oegandese geschiedenis: de opkomst van Idi Amin en hoe dit leidde tot de verdrijving van de Indiase/Pakistaanse ("Asian") gemeenschap waarvan de meeste mensen al decennia eerder naar Oeganda waren gekomen toen alles nog onder het Britse koloniale rijk viel. Niet het allerbeste geschreven verhaal dat ik ooit heb gelezen, maar boeiend genoeg door het onderwerp. Kwam wat traag op gang en had soms iets meer duiding bij bepaalde gebeurtenissen kunnen geven, maar werd m.n. in deel 2 en 3 interessant. Geschreven vanuit het oogpunt van 2-3 generaties van een Asian Ismaili familie.

[Joyce Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of mumtanz and her family is sad and beautiful. When we see immigrants and refugees it is so important to ask how did you get here. People leave their homes for boundless reasons. In this story a mother wants to protect her children and be a good wife but idi Amin has other plans that see her travelling and waiting and hoping and grieving. A beautiful novel that shows horror without it being graphic

[Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. It’s the story of Raju, a Gujarati man who settles in Uganda and builds a life for him and his family. A thoroughly patriarchal male figure who I did not like during the first half of the book. It’s also the story of Mumtaz, one of Raju’s daughter-in-laws. A likeable character. The book climaxes during the Asian (Indian) expulsion during the early 1970s Uganda, under Idi Amin.

[Daniela Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a tough one to get into. As the story carried on I found myself becoming attached to the 2 strong female leads. Rehmat and Mumtaz both strong in different ways. Leading their families while staying faithful to their customs and traditions. Journeying through Uganda and Canada while keeping her family together made Mumtaz a woman of strength and courage.

[Dawn Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - it was such an experience to read. The setting, the emotions, the very different world (that I can barely imagine). The writing was beautiful, the characters so memorable. An incredible debut novel.

[Saira Priest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is a work of fiction, I really felt it showed what it must have been like for some of the people in the Ugandan diaspora.
It is interesting in that it shows the life of people who stayed behind and the wisdoms they learned.

[Kevin Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book quickly. Any spare moment I picked up this book. The story stayed with me. In this time of Indigenous rights, the story of Indian settlers being forced from Uganda is a complex story. I loved travelling through Uganda and the characters were a joy to hang out with.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty slow beginning, but once it picked up it was good. The ending was so wholesome but damn I wish Mumtaz left Jaafar. Also when Amir had his little confession I was like THANK YOU sir you literally saved the entire families' lives.

[Humzah Yazdani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story!! But also what an important story told with such powerful impact through multiple lenses. The prose and impact is a bit weak at times but nothing that affects the overall impact! It’s such a shame that it’s not readily available and is not even accessible on kindle! But worth a read.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very historically accurate, learned a lot about the culture and political movement while enjoying a good story! What more could you want!

[Sujata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but bit long winded towards the end.