Migrations of the Heart: An Autobiography

by Marita Golden

In her classic memoir, distinguished author, television executive, and activist Marita Golden beautifully recounts an astounding journey to Africa and back.

Marita Golden was raised in Washington, D.C., by a mother who was a cleaning woman and a father who was taxi-driver. For all their struggles, with life and each other, her parents instilled her with spirit and aspirations. Swept up in the heady Black Power movement of the sixties, Marita moved to New York to study journalism at Columbia--and fell in love with Femi Ajayi, a Nigerian architecture student..
Their passion led them to start a life together in Africa--a place Marita was eager to understand. Exhilarated by a world free of white racism, Marita quickly found work as a professor and embraced motherhood. But Femi's increasing expectations that she snap into the role of the submissive Nigerian wife were shocking and dispiriting. Her struggle to regain her footing and shape a black identity that was true to her spirit is suspenseful and inspiring, an uncommon tale of race, identity, and Africa.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, African American, Africa

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Marita Golden (born April 28, 1950) is an award-winning novelist, nonfiction writer, distinguished teacher of writing and co-founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation, a national organization that serves as a resource center for African-American writers.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book!!’

Her honesty in what she shares - her honesty with herself is moving. Her personal journey in understanding her relationship to loving men (her relationship to relationships!) and her journey in finding herself, understanding herself and then loving herself, is eye opening.
It struck so many chords personally and at the same time I feel like it tells the story of the role of (most) women in the world, period. Every woman needs to read this book.

[Lucy Yeomans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good writing, and it was very refreshing. It reads easily, but is a story of someone with very different experiences than me. Despite that, I feel connected to many of Golden's revelations and interpretations about the world. She frames the book in the context of her parents and what they mean to her, which I related to. And she ended the book with several realizations about life and love that I believe in. It was powerful to see those beliefs as the conclusions of someone who has lived through mistakes and choices that I will probably never experience.

[Tracey Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am late to the table on this one y'all. This book was published in 1983, when as a kid I had yet to read my first chapter book or be read a chapter book. Yet, all the while I'm reading this book I'm wondering why the early years of Marita Golden's life have not been made into a movie. It's that fresh, dramatic and insightful. Even today in 2023. Never have I read a story of this experience before that deals with black womanhood, identity and the African, in this case Nigerian, expat experience. Worlds colliding and diverging. Talented, eloquent, visceral - the writing has it all and it's a tale I know from talking to many older women, who have read Golden before, many can identify with. Just her journey growing into womanhood and discovering who she is and her maturity to deal with the situations she encounters is moving. I'm mad that I never knew her books before, but now that I do, I will be reading more. The book was recommended by a professor of African studies as an example of an African American woman brushing up against the traditions and customs of Africans and finding her way and true identity.

[Leda Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Migrations is a well-crafted, well-organized, compact book containing a lifetime of experience that spans continents. Published when Golden was only 33 years old-generally a little early for a memoir-this book nevertheless offers a variety of lessons any woman (or man) could appreciate. A reader of any racial, social, class, or age background would appreciate this heartfelt and honest view of one woman's marital strife and struggle to adapt to a culture that is not her own.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I read it ages ago - and while I don't remember WHY I liked it, I just know I did. I recall it being a compelling story of one young woman's personal journey of self understanding.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marita grew up in the 1960's and was part of the events that took plane resulting from tensions that arose after Martin Luther King's assassination. Graduating with a degree in journalism, she moved to New York where she met Femi, a Nigerian student. She moves with him to Nigeria and they eventually marry. She loves Nigeria but struggles with certain aspects of the culture that affect marriage and children. To not give away too much, after the birth of her son she "discovers herself" and their marriage falls apart.... Definitely not all her fault as her husband struggles with finding work which results in a low self concept. He's not always a nice person, but there were warning signs before they Even married.
The writing is beautiful and the story is well told. I can't criticize the story too much because it's her story and it's honestly told. But I think a lot of pain could have been avoided by being less self focused on both of their parts.

[Jalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Marita Golden's pen game but this is WRITING. This memoir follows her coming of age, loss of parents, marriage, infidelity and more as she journeys from New York to Nigeria and back. I saw so much of myself in my own journey to and through womanhood reflected on the page. She is able to tell her story honestly in all her imperfections. This is what travel memoirs should be and I am so happy that I went into the back list to read this.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful memoir. Inspiring story. Golden at her best.

[Graemme Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Self-discovery.

Heart felt journey of self-discovery. However, I’ve O.D. on such explorations. I prefer broader landscapes and horizons. Recommend to women in similar situations.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful writing. Interesting story.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marita Golden tells her story of growing up in the 50s & 60s in the US, experiencing women's liberation and civil rights, only to be set back in time with her marriage to a Nigerian. With the move to Nigeria she discovers she loves her newly found personal freedoms as much as the traditions of her husband's country & family.

[Sarah Gonalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing for anyone who is willing to read autobiographies and is interested in learning about another country. Marita Golden expresses her feelings about her new surroundings and love for Femi.

[Nicole White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read .A honest frank portrayal of the early years of post colonial Africa. This books reminds me a great deal of Maya Angelou ''Heart of a Woman." Marita Golden is a wonderful writer who writes with such honesty that you can't help but admire.

[Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read for young black girls in search of themselves. i identified greatly with Marita's journey and self-realization.

[Chevronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It is a wonderful story about love, reality and human resolve. It is truly uplifting.

[VL · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book in 1993, I had the wonderful, rare experience of reading a great book which paralleled my life at the time. I learned a lot about Nigerian culture through reading this.

[Bakele]

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[Donnalou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touched my life at a significant time...