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A review by talesoffay
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this as a part of a read-along. It was a resounding success with the group. We all tried to pace ourselves but the stories were so captivating that we devoured this in a few days. "History is storytelling" and my is Yaa Gyasi a masterful storyteller! I am astounded this is a debut. The writing is flawess in my opinion.
The story begins with 2 sisters, Effia and Esi. They have two very different destinies. One sold in to slavery; one a slave traders wife. Each chapter then follows a different descendant of the sisters. While there is the theme running through of inherited pain, there is also a strong feeling of hope, love and faith in freedom. With the story spanning many generations and places, we get a glimpse in to many important points in history. Although this was short it was impactful.
"We believe the one who has the power. He is the one who gets to write the story. So when you study history, you must always ask yourself, whose story am I missing? Whose voice has been suppressed so that this voice could come forth? Once you have figured that out, you must find that story too, you begin to get a clearer, yet still imperfect, picture."
The story begins with 2 sisters, Effia and Esi. They have two very different destinies. One sold in to slavery; one a slave traders wife. Each chapter then follows a different descendant of the sisters. While there is the theme running through of inherited pain, there is also a strong feeling of hope, love and faith in freedom. With the story spanning many generations and places, we get a glimpse in to many important points in history. Although this was short it was impactful.
"We believe the one who has the power. He is the one who gets to write the story. So when you study history, you must always ask yourself, whose story am I missing? Whose voice has been suppressed so that this voice could come forth? Once you have figured that out, you must find that story too, you begin to get a clearer, yet still imperfect, picture."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery