I was given Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi for my birthday back in January and I sat on it for many months because I had heard this book was very heavy. I was not mentally prepared for whatever this book was giving. This book literally looked at me daily but I was scared to start. When I finally sat down and started this book, I could not put it down.
Brief Summary
This book begins in Africa and follows how two unknowing sisters’ life trajectories differ across the years. One sister ends up marrying a white man from Britain, who is leading the capturing of African slaves to be shipped to other countries, particularly America. The other sister is also held captive before she is sold off. The book continues as the sister’s have children, and their children have children, and so on. I do not give spoilers so you have to read the book for yourself!
You need to read this book!
I am in awe of how well written this book is. As you read Homegoing you will notice the gifts and information, as well as the traumas, that are passed through generations as certain things are reiterated in different chapters. While the book does address the more gruesome aspects of being African and being Black in America, it does so in a way that is digestible and not extremely graphic or traumatic. This book also sheds light on many important historical aspects such as escaping North during slavery, chain-gang and imprisonment, pre-gentrification, interracial dating, and many more. I did not want to put this book down after starting it.
This book is even more powerful because this is Yaa Gyasi’s first novel. On her first try, she was able to write this masterpiece. That is so powerful and inspiring. I hope that when I decide to write a book, it is as great as some of the work that will exist before me like Homegoing.
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