ABYSSINIAN CHRONICLES

By Moses Isegawa

Picador $21.00 PB 493 PP

It is not often that a book dealing with life in Uganda captures the imagination of Western prose readers. Moses Isegawa’s thinly-disguised autobiographical narrator Mugezi matures from a wide-eyed boy observant of village life to a politically astute adult having experienced personal loss against a background of national tragedy.

This book is an observation of post-colonial decay set on a large canvas of vibrant characters drenched in superstition, Catholicism and sexual longing.

The tale opens with the flavour of magic realism as Mugezi’s father Serenity is caught in the jaws of a crocodile. By the time of Mugezi’s final flight to Amsterdam, Uganda is in the grip of a far sinister predator - AIDS.

It would be wrong to assume that Isegawa’s debut novel is solely a story of endless despair. Ultimately it is optimistic and characterised by some amusing vignettes. The discovery the narrator’s mother is nicknamed “Padlock” on her wedding night illustrates this vibrant family is not bereft of humour.

Inevitably, Idi Amin Dada cast a formidable shadow over the proceedings thereby undermining Mugezi’s trust in his country’s leader.

In 1971 Idi Amin seized power from Obote in a bloody coup declaring himself president for life. He traded with Britain and the US while flirting with the socialist world. It was the war with Tanzania in 1979 that forced him to flee Kampala and a bankrupt country.

Mugezi’s discovery of his grandfather’s broken body on a street corner and the horror of his aunt Kasawo’s gang rape is a potent reminder of how human tragedy can ignite an author’s passion. His course through life as an above-average student, school-teacher, liquor brewer, black marketeer and politically-astute operator is threatened by the country’s abyss.

Serenity believes Abyssinia (Ethiopia’s ancient name) is a fitting name for modern Uganda: “land of false bottoms.” Never is there an end to the depth of despair.

Isegawa’s move to Amsterdam has given him the distance he needed to reflect with clarity on the sadness of his country’s post-colonial history.

In scope this vast debut novel can be compared with the celebrated works of Salman Rushdie giving us a bitter-sweet taste of life in a forgotten part of the developing world.

It is to be hoped this welcome English translation will herald future works of quality from countries too often without a voice. Tired he may be of First World cocktail perceptions of Africa, he is nevertheless as celebrated in Europe as he is in his beloved homeland. This searing, compassionate work of life on the inside of a country on the road to political and economic order is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Peter Boully