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Do not attempt to read this book without the list of characters provided at the beginning! It follows multiple generations of two families, starting with half-sisters. Each chapter is the story of another descendant, alternating between the two families, and often with years in between. Thus a series of short stories, but all linked. Its main theme is the history of slavery and the injustices seen through the eyes of each new generation, making a very powerful statement. It is difficult to do ju
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Best piece of fiction I read this year. Best book I’ve ever read on the legacy of slavery. Shows us on a personal level, how it affected the real lives of individuals. —> Should be required reading in schools.
Heartbreaking, wise, educational, well-written, surprising and inspiring - loved it.
Heartbreaking, wise, educational, well-written, surprising and inspiring - loved it.
It would not surprise me if this book becomes a staple of the school curriculum in years to come. Not only does it tell the story of the horrors of slavery but it is beautifully written and has much to teach us all.
For my full review please visit my blog at: http://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogspo... ...more
For my full review please visit my blog at: http://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogspo... ...more
Some parts of this book are quite poignant and interested me at an intellectual level, and others left me indifferent or mildly interested. I can see what the author is doing: a clever, multi-generational structure, spanning two-and-a-half or so centuries and two continents/ countries (Ghana and the United States of America), loosely interlocked and preceded by a genealogical table which tracks the main characters from whose pov we experience a slice of their life and some (but not all and not c
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The interplay between a Ghanaian girl who goes to America and her sister who remains in Ghana is interesting, but covering multiple generations, it was difficult for me to keep all the relationships straight.
Extraordinary book. Yaa Gyasi is a master storyteller. Even though this is a work of fiction, it is based on history. I think this is an important book for getting insights into the realities of the African slave trade and how people suffered for generations, as a result.
Wonderful idea, brilliantly executed!
"The family is like the forest: if you are outside it is dense; if you are inside you see that each tree has its own position." -Akan Proverb ...more
"The family is like the forest: if you are outside it is dense; if you are inside you see that each tree has its own position." -Akan Proverb ...more
My only complaint is that I'd get attached to the characters and want to read more about them! It finished too quickly for me.
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On a scale of 1 to 5, this book is a 10.
Jan 14, 2017
Kristen
marked it as to-read
Feb 16, 2017
grace
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2017
Tania
marked it as to-read
Jul 30, 2017
Renate
marked it as to-read
Feb 04, 2019
Erin
added it
Jan 11, 2020
Ginger
marked it as to-read
Oct 07, 2020
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
Dec 27, 2020
Kara
marked it as to-read
