An amazing set of short stories by debut author Doreen Baingana, “Tropical Fish” quickly drew me in and held me captive until the very last page of the last tale in a series of stories on the lives and development of three Ugandan sisters. Largely focused on the youngest, Christine Mugisha, these stories take us into life as young women in a society full of such promise but decimated in many ways by missteps such as the regime of Idi Amin.

Christine Mugisha and her eldest sister Rosa and the middle child Patti are drawn in strong contrasts, as well as powerful parallels. They are all young women trying to find their way in society with a shared family history. However, each has clutched a different talisman as their saving grace. Rosa seeks comfort and support in a group of friends and in the arms of a young man with whom she has a secret relationship. Patti chooses God as she immerses

herself in the society

of born-again Christians. Christine searches in many places including both of the paths already chosen by her older sisters. Eventually her quest takes her to the United States of America as she seeks to distinguish herself and truly find out who she is. The paths that each of them takes lead them to distinct destinies. Following their journeys through the eyes and words of Ms. Baingana was a true joy.

Author Baingana is a treasure. She captures the nuances of life in post-Amin Uganda without over politicizing her tales or her characters. In fact, she very convincingly portrays

the normal struggles of young women transitioning into full adulthood over the background of struggles of class, gender and politics amongst other issues. I look forward to her navigating another delightful journey.