Homegoing

“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi is a masterpiece of storytelling, an import work of historical fiction, and a completely captivating read! Half-sisters, Effia and Esi, from different villages in west Africa (now Ghana) find much different fates, when one marries a British officer and remains in Africa, and the other is captured and sent to America on a slave ship in the 1700s. The novel follows their offspring from the eighteenth century until 2000. It is a fascinating and unflinching look at slavery, colonialism, and civil rights, with beautifully written individual stories of characters you will not soon forget. Highly recommend.

More like 4.5 stars, because I feel like my small critique is more about my likes as reader than a flaw in the book/with the writer. Homegoing is at times a hard book to read given the topic. It is also fascinating to trace a story that we all know much deeper into its history than we are generally accustomed to. And the characters...wow -- a week after finishing the book, and I still think about some of them and their sad, sad stories. The book starts with a genealogy chart, and here is where I knew that I was in trouble (but I'm thankful I didn't turn back and close the "cover" (Kindle user)). I tend to struggle with novels that have such a cast of characters that one needs a chart to figure out the relations. And need the chart, I did. I went back to the chart at the start of almost every chapter (especially later in the book) to remind myself of which side of the family (Effia or Esi) and who the character's parents were. It is these familial connections that tie the book together and allow us to see the long-lasting impact of the institution of slavery. The book is structured so that each chapter is the story of a singular character (essentially, though again, because it follows the ancestry, that character's story is always part of another character(s)' story as well. And here is one of my small issues: each chapter, despite its connections to the other chapters, reads a bit like a short story. That is, I didn't ever feel "done" with that particular character and just kept wanting to know more of his/her story. I would wait anxiously to get the chapter about one of the offspring, but that generally did not satisfy my desire to know more of the original character's story. (This, ultimately, is both quibble and compliment, I suppose). Then there is the language. The unique turns-of-phrase and vivid analogies and metaphors make you feel like you are reading stories written by an aged and well-lived storyteller (as opposed to this young 20-something Iowa MFA). The language truly feels authentic to Ghanian culture. And it's beautiful. I did find the reading experience at the beginning to be richer and more immersive than in the later chapters of the book. I'm not sure why, but Gyasi's clever and unique use of language becomes less frequent later in the book. Perhaps this is representative of the book's shift into American culture and away from Ghana. On the whole, I did have trouble keeping track of all the characters (the book spans almost 300 years; what can I expect?), but it was a powerful enough read that I am still thinking about it (and ready to read Whitehead's The Underground Railroad!) a week after finishing it.

Homegoing is one of those books that stays with you long after the last page. Two sisters who never know each other. One sold into slavery, one married into a British life in Africa. Their stories unfold across generations, chapter by chapter, showing how history echoes through time. If you love historical fiction with depth, heart, and meaning—this is a must-read. 10/10 📖✨

Right off, in the beginning, I have to be open and honest with my readers. I was really excited about this book before it came out. I heard so many things about it from people who got an advanced copy that I was hyped for this book. Well, that sounds strange as it is about slavery, but I am guessing most understand what I mean. One of my main passions is understanding race/race relations. I have been waiting for this book for that reason. I even pre-ordered it months before it came out on Amazon. Now I have read Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and I have to write- if you care anything about race, telling the story of slavery, great writing, or anything like that, this book needs to be on your shelf. Homegoing begins with two stories of half sisters from Ghanna- Effia and Esi. Effia winds up married to a British slave trader, while Esi winds up as one of his slaves, yet they do not know the other is present in the same castle. Each is presented with a precious black stone before they leave their respective villages and face their futures. From that point on, each chapter alternates with the descendants of each of these women. Each chapter looks at significant times in their descendants' lives. Effie's son Quey's story, for example, begins when he is older and is asked to return to his mother's village. The problem is he is now of mixed race, so there are some ramifications to his identity in the world- he is neither English nor from Ghanna. Ness' story on the other hand, the daughter of Esi, is more of a tragic story because she is a slave woman's illegitimate daughter. She is property rather than of privilege. She is a slave who picks cotton in Alabama. Her life is very different from Quey's. The incredible part of Gyasi's stories are they are not straightforward and don't necessarily go where one thinks they are headed. There are heartbreaking stories, there are romance stories, there are stories about identity, and many other deeper topics. One family does struggle a bit because of where they begin life, but that doesn't mean the other family has it any easier. The problems are just different. What I really enjoyed about seeing how the generations progress is how some of the great grandchildren have elements of their great grandmother. Some say similar things for example or have a way about them that just reminds the reader of a previous story. It isn't overtly done though and that is what is fun. There isn't a character who comes up and states something to the effect of- "That is just like what your grandmother used to do." That would be too easy. Gyasi allows to reader to pick up certain things because you, as reader, know each person's history. This book could have easily fallen flat, but I am so grateful that it didn't. This isn't just a good book to talk about race, identity, history, etc, but it is also great writing and storytelling too. Even though the reader only gets a glimpse of a character's life, one feels comfortable and knows that person. The book isn't necessarily the feel good story though and a few times I had to put the book down because I couldn't take what I just read, but it is an important book. I read The Underground Railroad right next to this one and I am telling you that will be a great companion piece to this book, when it comes out. This was an ambitious and risky book and it really paid off. Gyasi weaves the stories so well together that they stand on their own, but savvy readers will pick up little hints on ancestry. Seriously, get this book. This was a 5 star book!

Wow, loved this story of two sisters and their descendants. So much history and drama, you will absolutely love it! Brava to this author! Please keep writing!

Imprescindible para entender una parte fundamental de la historia negra y afroamericana. Imprescindible porque es una lectura accesible a todo el mundo y deberia ser un basico a leer cuanto antes mejor...

Brilliant and artistic storytelling about life through generations in a surprisingly concise manner.

It was for a gift, but it arrived in perfect shape

... the one that stayed and the one that was forced to leave. Intense, cruel, magic, real, pitiless. A book that you feel inside, with each character.

My favourite read of the year so far. Such a feat to have captured such a huge span of history, and made it feel personal. You live it along with the characters. I was moved to tears several times, and can't stop thinking about it afterwards. I think it might be the only book I have ever read that on finishing it, I wanted to re read it immediately.