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Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing

Yaa GyasiFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Book Brief

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Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ghana • 18th Century

Theme
Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

910L

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Super Short Summary

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi follows the divergent paths of two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, and their descendants over 300 years, tracing the profound impacts of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Effia marries a British slave trader in Ghana, while Esi is enslaved and shipped to America. Their descendants face generational struggles connected to slavery, colonialism, and racial injustice, highlighting resilience and reconnection. Topics such as sexual violence, slavery, and addiction appear in the book.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.5

398,760 ratings

90%

Loved it

8%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is widely praised for its ambitious scope, rich storytelling, and vivid character development, offering a powerful portrayal of the African diaspora. Some critiques note that the interconnected stories occasionally feel fragmented. Overall, it stands out as a compelling and thought-provoking debut.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Homegoing?

A reader who enjoys Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi likely appreciates multi-generational family sagas that explore the African diaspora, historical fiction with rich, intertwining narratives, and themes of identity and legacy. They might also be fans of Alex Haley's Roots or Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad.

4.5

398,760 ratings

90%

Loved it

8%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ghana • 18th Century

Theme
Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

910L

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