read_cc_read's review against another edition
5.0
This book was SO GOOD. Extremely eye opening and intense- this novel exposes the grim realities of the slave trade and treatment of African Americans in America during and post slavery. The timeline of the book jumps around as it followed descendants of the main characters - the family tree in the beginning helps the reader follow the bloodlines and characters. Highly recommend every American reads this novel.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Homegoing is a daring and ambitious debut. Make note of Gyasi's name, because with this novel she has laid the groundwork for an illustrious writing career.
She begins her story with two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, who never meet. Each subsequent chapter follows someone from the next generation in the family line. The half-sisters are born in Ghana, but their lineages diverge immediately, with one sister remaining in Ghana, married to a white slave trader, and the other captured and sent on a slave ship to North America.
Because each chapter deals with a new character in a new generation, the books feels more like a series of linked short stories or vignettes than a long, sweeping novel—a choice which keeps the novel to a manageable length and prevents it from bogging down with detail. It's a lot to process, but it's not so demanding that it would monopolize your whole summer.
A few other good books that tell stories of families through several generations:
[b:The Children's Crusade|22609396|The Children's Crusade|Ann Packer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422297109s/22609396.jpg|42099386] by Ann Packer
[b:Green Island|25763894|Green Island|Shawna Yang Ryan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445790070s/25763894.jpg|45426209] by Shawna Yang Ryan
[b:The Turner House|22749750|The Turner House|Angela Flournoy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408469614s/22749750.jpg|42295144] by Angela Flournoy
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
She begins her story with two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, who never meet. Each subsequent chapter follows someone from the next generation in the family line. The half-sisters are born in Ghana, but their lineages diverge immediately, with one sister remaining in Ghana, married to a white slave trader, and the other captured and sent on a slave ship to North America.
Because each chapter deals with a new character in a new generation, the books feels more like a series of linked short stories or vignettes than a long, sweeping novel—a choice which keeps the novel to a manageable length and prevents it from bogging down with detail. It's a lot to process, but it's not so demanding that it would monopolize your whole summer.
A few other good books that tell stories of families through several generations:
[b:The Children's Crusade|22609396|The Children's Crusade|Ann Packer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422297109s/22609396.jpg|42099386] by Ann Packer
[b:Green Island|25763894|Green Island|Shawna Yang Ryan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445790070s/25763894.jpg|45426209] by Shawna Yang Ryan
[b:The Turner House|22749750|The Turner House|Angela Flournoy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408469614s/22749750.jpg|42295144] by Angela Flournoy
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
twentystitches's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Where do I even start?
This book is PHENOMENAL. truly an incredible FEAT of storytelling. It was DEVASTATING, BEAUTIFUL, HEARTWRENCHING, EMOTIONAL. My god. I was crying when I finished. The CHARACTERS yaa gyasi created...each of them so unique and complex yet so beautiful...and the tiny intrinsic ways in which their stories were linked...the way she created the history of an ENTIRE family, which chronicled not only their journeys, but also the history of slavery, of Africa, and of America. The story was RICH, the depth in their pasts, the stories they passed down through generations, their family traditions, the language they spoke, their home country. This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
This book is PHENOMENAL. truly an incredible FEAT of storytelling. It was DEVASTATING, BEAUTIFUL, HEARTWRENCHING, EMOTIONAL. My god. I was crying when I finished. The CHARACTERS yaa gyasi created...each of them so unique and complex yet so beautiful...and the tiny intrinsic ways in which their stories were linked...the way she created the history of an ENTIRE family, which chronicled not only their journeys, but also the history of slavery, of Africa, and of America. The story was RICH, the depth in their pasts, the stories they passed down through generations, their family traditions, the language they spoke, their home country. This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
sunrae_booknook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This shows a clear generational path of trauma and love and enduring and losing and gaining history. It is one of the most important stories I have ever read.
songforsunshine's review against another edition
3.0
é um livro bem escrito e importante sobre raça, raízes, colonialismo e escravatura. Porém, embora eu goste muito de sagas familiares, não adoro este estilo de storytelling com o POV de mil e uma personagens, não permite aprofundar muito a história e/ou construir uma ligação com as personagens. Quando estou a gostar de uma personagem, acaba e passa à próxima e ficam muitas questões por responder.
Dito isto, quero ler o Reino Transcendente da autora.
Dito isto, quero ler o Reino Transcendente da autora.
rafamar's review against another edition
4.0
"Mas, à medida que ia envelhecendo, cada vez compreendia melhor. O perdão era um ato cometido após o facto, era uma parte do futuro do mal que era feito. E, se voltassem os olhos das pessoas para o futuro, elas podiam não ver o mal que lhes estava a ser feito no presente."
courtneydun's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
I was hesitant to read this because I'm a sensitive reader and was afraid of what the pages would bring. It's so worth it - the hype is correct! The stories of the families over the generations woven together was so riveting, I was pulled in and so enchanted. It is beautifully written. The best and worst parts of human history are shown here. Read it!
thelittlesnowdrop's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
4.5/5 stars for Homegoing! ⭐️ This story is incredibly sad, but beautifully told. Yaa Gyasi tells this story from the perspective of each character in each chapter. I've never read a book that told a story this way, but I'm pleasantly surprised at how well this was articulated. This is an incredible feat in my humble opinion! Luckily, there is a family chart provided at the beginning of the story - which I referenced frequently. 🫢
Gyasi covers the tropes of generational trauma, colonization, slavery, & heritage. This sounds intense (because it is), but to follow multiple generations of a family line during this era was intriguing & well done. This has become one of my favorite historical fiction books I've read & I wholeheartedly recommend. Gyasi is a talented writer & kudos to her for this being her debut novel!
Gyasi covers the tropes of generational trauma, colonization, slavery, & heritage. This sounds intense (because it is), but to follow multiple generations of a family line during this era was intriguing & well done. This has become one of my favorite historical fiction books I've read & I wholeheartedly recommend. Gyasi is a talented writer & kudos to her for this being her debut novel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Rape, and Violence