Everything Is Fine Here

A tender coming of age novel set in Uganda in which a young woman grapples with the truth about her sister in a country that punishes gay people.

Eighteen-year-old Aine Kamara has been anticipating a reunion with her older sister, Mbabazi, for months. But when Mbabazi shows up with an unexpected guest, Aine must confront an old fear: her beloved sister is gay in a country with tight anti-homosexuality laws.

Over a weekend at Aine's all girls' boarding school, sisterly bonds strengthen, and a new friendship emerges between Aine and her sister's partner, Achen. Later, a sudden death in the family brings Achen to Mbabazi's and Aine's home village, resulting in tensions that put Mrs. Kamara's Christian beliefs to the test. She issues an ultimatum, forcing Mbabazi to make a difficult choice, but Aine must too. Unable to convince Mama to reconsider, Aine runs away to Mbabazi's and Achen's home in Kampala. There she reconnects with Elia, the sophomore at Makerere University she's had a crush on for a while.

Acclaimed writer Iryn Tushabe's dazzling debut novel, Everything Is Fine Here, explores the choice Aine must make, and its inevitable and harrowing results.