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A review by katiescho741
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
4.0
I really enjoyed the way this book was written. The story follows each of the descendents of Effia and Esi as they live their lives in different circumstances down the history of the US. It felt like many short stories as we meet a new mini cast of characters in each chapter and each story feels as rich as the previous one.
I learnt a lot from this book, I had no idea about black men and boys being sent down mines, or that free born black people were kidnapped and taken South to be enslaved pre-civil war. There's a lot of horror and tragedy in this book but there's hope and love and glimpses of happiness too. There's a lot about black identity in America and how it has changed down the centuries. I enjoyed the contrasts between water and fire within the stories.
I sometimes got a bit lost with who was who within the stories, as there's a lot of names and family relationships to keep straight. I also wasn't overly keen on the stone necklace thing. But, overall I enjoyed this book.
A powerful and important book but also a great work of fiction and a compelling story.
I learnt a lot from this book, I had no idea about black men and boys being sent down mines, or that free born black people were kidnapped and taken South to be enslaved pre-civil war. There's a lot of horror and tragedy in this book but there's hope and love and glimpses of happiness too. There's a lot about black identity in America and how it has changed down the centuries. I enjoyed the contrasts between water and fire within the stories.
I sometimes got a bit lost with who was who within the stories, as there's a lot of names and family relationships to keep straight. I also wasn't overly keen on the stone necklace thing. But, overall I enjoyed this book.
A powerful and important book but also a great work of fiction and a compelling story.