Effia and Esi: two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself.

Book Group Review

The Borrowers Book Group from Kesgrave Library share their thoughts on Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

This is a very emotionally challenging read, encompassing so many issues, that it prompted a lively discussion for our book group.

The book is very well written and descriptive as it follows the lives and generational trauma through the years resulting from the separation of two sisters - one marrying a slave trader and remaining in Africa, the other sold into slavery.

The time span is epic, and some of us became slightly lost with all the names and generations and to which side of the family they belong. However, others found the genealogy tree helpful at the beginning of the book.

We willed the characters to do well despite their circumstances. The writer painted a picture of the essence of a character in one chapter. Although we did not get to know the whole story of that character, the writer was clever in picking up that character from an earlier chapter, compelling us to read on. We particularly liked the strong character of Willie, and her father H, and that the ending was positive.

There are some horrific details with graphic - though not gratuitous - descriptions of the treatment of slaves. The history of the women’s prison and tribes in Africa was enlightening and grounded in research as well as the coalmines in America. Issues of trauma, colonialism, misogyny, religion, segregation, discrimination about degree of skin colour as well as disfigurement, were relevant, but possibly overwhelming. We discussed how tragically many of these issues have not changed to this day.

Recommendation: A well written, challenging read, which lingers in the mind, covering many issues. Not a beach read or one to dip in and out of, but provocative for a book group.