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A review by sarahgb
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This is a no-holds barred portrayal of the slave trade exploring its impact through the generations starting in West Africa in the 1700s up to modern day in America. It is powerful, it has impact, it has a unique style of writing, and it has a voice that needs to be heard. It is also one of the most difficult books I've ever read in terms of getting in to. I struggled to get to grips with the many characters and jumping chapters. I almost abandoned it, but looked up a study guide to Homegoing online and read how the book has been structured. Went back to the beginning and re-read the few chapters and characters and their relationships clicked into place.
The study guide is on gradesaver.com and says "Homegoing follows the descendants of an Asante woman in the 1700s named Maame. Maame has one daughter, while enslaved in a Fante village and another daughter after escaping to Asanteland; as a consequence, her daughters never meet. Effia, Maame's first daughter, is married to a white man who has come to Africa as part of the British slave trade while her sister Esi, Maame's second daughter, is sold into slavery in the United States."
Different chapters follow the descendants of these two daughters and jump between the two and across time following a chronological time line.
There are several themes throughout the book but the ones that stood out for me were family. The structure of the book itself highlights the importance of family and family connections. Every chapter follows a descendant and ancestor. Another theme that stood out for me was names. How names are important, how they shape the personality of the characters and how people assign names to the characters.
Once I'd started I had to finish it. It was fascinating to see how the descendants are connected but heartbreaking to read their stories. I would have liked a bit more time to get to know the characters before the chapter moved on to more of the history of the other characters of the story.
Definitely a 5* and a book I will read again. Highly recommended.
The study guide is on gradesaver.com and says "Homegoing follows the descendants of an Asante woman in the 1700s named Maame. Maame has one daughter, while enslaved in a Fante village and another daughter after escaping to Asanteland; as a consequence, her daughters never meet. Effia, Maame's first daughter, is married to a white man who has come to Africa as part of the British slave trade while her sister Esi, Maame's second daughter, is sold into slavery in the United States."
Different chapters follow the descendants of these two daughters and jump between the two and across time following a chronological time line.
There are several themes throughout the book but the ones that stood out for me were family. The structure of the book itself highlights the importance of family and family connections. Every chapter follows a descendant and ancestor. Another theme that stood out for me was names. How names are important, how they shape the personality of the characters and how people assign names to the characters.
Once I'd started I had to finish it. It was fascinating to see how the descendants are connected but heartbreaking to read their stories. I would have liked a bit more time to get to know the characters before the chapter moved on to more of the history of the other characters of the story.
Definitely a 5* and a book I will read again. Highly recommended.