This excellent book deserves the highest praise.
1. It is a fascinating history of the Asian Community in Africa. It tells of how the community was established, their harrowing fate, in Uganda, under the brutal regime of Idi Amin, and their shameful treatment when they arrived in Britain.
2. It is an intensely personal autobiography. The author is at times shockingly open about her feelings about her parents, her family, her husbands and her children. She is also brutally honest about herself and her own falibilities.
3. It is of course a cook book with a mouthwatering succession of recipes which reflect the development of the author's life story.
So what makes the book so good. Firstly anyone who is familiar with Alibhai Brown's work in the Independent and elsewhere will not be surprised to know that it is beautifully written. Secondly it is facsinating to read about well known events from a different cultural perspective. Thirdly, it is just such a human account. It is writen by this stunningly intelligent , enormously successful woman, but we learn all about her inner demons and weaknessesd. Massively affecting.
Buy it, read it, it's magnificent.