Homegoing in Around the World in 80 Books

Jan 28, 2017 Sunflower rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, e-books, fiction-read-2017

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 ...more

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Apr 08, 2017 Rachel N. rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-in-2017, new-york, march-madness-challenege-2017, africa, ghana, slavery, alabama

The book begins with two half sisters in Ghana, Effia and Esi, one of whom marries a British colonel and the other is sold in slavery. We then follow their ancestors through many generations. Each chapter is devoted to a different person. The book is very ambitious, covering over 200 years in 300 pages. I felt like it tried to cover too much in a relatively short space. Each chapter was around 30 pages long. I didn't feel like enough time was devoted to any one character to really get to know th ...more

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Feb 28, 2017 Anna rated it really liked 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

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Aug 27, 2018 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, africa, african-american, cultural

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.

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