for generations. In this ambitious tale of a clan and of a nation, Makumbi weaves together the stories of Kintu’s descendants as they seek to break from the burden of their shared past and reconcile the inheritance of tradition and the modern world that is their future."
This is a sweeping, ambitious book, relating the story of an extended family that begins with a patriarch in 1750 and then jumps forward to the 60s,80s and 2004, tracing the mis/fortunes of his descendants in modern Uganda. It’s been much discussed as a very Ugandan book, written for local readers and enjoying massive popularity there, but it’s an excellent novel with much to offer international readers as well.
The story begins in the old kingdom of Buganda, where Kintu Kiddu, a governor, journeys to the capital to pay his respects to a new king, who just took power by murdering his brother. Kintu’s most pressing concerns, however, are closer to home, with the large number of wives he’s obliged to marry for political purposes, the grooming of his heir, and the adopted son who meets an unexpected problem on the journey.
Plot summaries about this book tend to focus on the ancient curse, but as someone who usually finds fictional curses to be difficult plot element to handle well, I was impressed with Makumbi’s handling of this element. The Kintu clan believes that they are cursed, but the story leaves room for other interpretations. All the characters experience hardship, but it never feels inevitable.
The writing is surprisingly beautiful and deeply emotional. There is a certain undefinable African writing style that I am starting to notice, a mixture of lyrical prose and matter of fact brutal realism.
I was impressed by this book. Makumbi explores sweeping areas of Ugandan life, from sexual mistreatment, extreme poverty, religious zealotry, abuse, the HIV epidemic, mob "justice" and the effects of colonialization. Yet each of these issues, and I haven't listed all of them, are handled with such nuanced gentleness and understanding. It never feels didactic or unnecessarily wedged in there to make a political point. This is a brutal book, with Makumbi not shying away from any of the pain that her characters go through. Yet it is also a strangely hopeful novel, championing family, love, connection to yourself and your identity.
Age Rating 17+. Mature adult themes.
