Cheri's Reviews > Homegoing
Homegoing
by
by
4.5 Stars
Covering the Asante and Fante tribes from 18th Century to the present, Homegoing follows two different families, two half sisters, Effia and Esi and their offspring. The sisters grow up knowing nothing of the other. Both are given a black stone necklace, to be passed down to the next generation. Both sisters are born in Ghana, spend their early years in Ghana, Esi is shipped to America as a slave. Effia stays in Ghana and marries a British soldier who works in the slave trade, living in the Castle above the caves, where Esi is first taken before beginning shipped to America. His other wife and family live in England. Effia’s lineage stays in Ghana, enduring their own terrible conditions, bearing their own sorrows, until one leaves for a life in America.
There is a plethora of heartache and tragedy, despicable conditions. There is little reason for joy, but there is love, enough love to keep going, to keep hope alive.
For me, it spanned so much time compressed down, some parts, as a result, felt a little rushed to me.
There were so many characters, spread through so many generations that I wanted to know more about. Throughout, the story is undeniably gripping, the writing superb, even through the deeply dark stories of some of the lives. This debut novel is simply stunning.
Reading this was an intense experience, Gyasi’s passion for this story will grab your heart and leave you thinking, and feeling for a long time.
Covering the Asante and Fante tribes from 18th Century to the present, Homegoing follows two different families, two half sisters, Effia and Esi and their offspring. The sisters grow up knowing nothing of the other. Both are given a black stone necklace, to be passed down to the next generation. Both sisters are born in Ghana, spend their early years in Ghana, Esi is shipped to America as a slave. Effia stays in Ghana and marries a British soldier who works in the slave trade, living in the Castle above the caves, where Esi is first taken before beginning shipped to America. His other wife and family live in England. Effia’s lineage stays in Ghana, enduring their own terrible conditions, bearing their own sorrows, until one leaves for a life in America.
There is a plethora of heartache and tragedy, despicable conditions. There is little reason for joy, but there is love, enough love to keep going, to keep hope alive.
For me, it spanned so much time compressed down, some parts, as a result, felt a little rushed to me.
There were so many characters, spread through so many generations that I wanted to know more about. Throughout, the story is undeniably gripping, the writing superb, even through the deeply dark stories of some of the lives. This debut novel is simply stunning.
Reading this was an intense experience, Gyasi’s passion for this story will grab your heart and leave you thinking, and feeling for a long time.
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Reading Progress
March 27, 2016
– Shelved
September 1, 2016
–
Started Reading
September 3, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Jennifer
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03 sept. 2016 17:31
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Thank you so much, Victoria, sorry I missed your comment earlier - it's been a crazy few days with my daughter-in-law's art show this past weekend! I think perhaps it was shortened since it was a debut novel and perhaps at 300 pgs plus a smidgen, it might be more likely to sell - and that's a chance either way you look at it. More people might have not bothered if it were too long, but I think another 100 pages would have been a good place to aim. At any rate, regardless, it's all so good and highly recommended!
Unfailingly good.