Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Title: Homegoing
Author: Yaa Gyasi
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Historical Fiction
Year of Publication: 2016
Date of Publication: June 7, 2016
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 1101947136
ISBN-13: 978-1101947135

Summary of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing is a novel that traces the intertwined legacies of two half-sisters and their descendants over 300 years. 

Effia and Esi are born in 18th-century Ghana but lead drastically different lives: one is married off to a British colonizer, while the other is sold into slavery and shipped to America. 

The novel follows their lineages, capturing the enduring impact of slavery and colonialism across generations and continents.

Main Themes

The novel explores themes of identity, resilience, and the intergenerational effects of systemic oppression. 

It examines how history shapes personal and collective identities, delving into issues of slavery, freedom, and cultural memory. 

Through its characters, Homegoing highlights the enduring strength of family bonds and the human spirit.

Writing Style

Yaa Gyasi’s writing about the different generations in the book can be described as a collection of short stories. While the stories are individual, she beautifully interconnects the stories.

She explores domestic slave trade in such detail that you can tell a lot research went into the writing.

Impact of the Book

This novel is Yaa Gyasi’s first novel.

The book has been widely acclaimed for its ambitious scope and emotional depth, earning numerous accolades including the 2017 PEN/Hemingway Award. 

The novel was selected for the 2016 honoree of the National Book Foundation’s (NBF) “5 Under 35 award. It was also shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and won the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize for Best First Book.

Homegoing sparks conversations about race, history, and the legacies of slavery and colonialism. 

What are your thoughts on this book? Have you had a chance to read it? Let us know in the comments!