Homegoing

A Novel

By: Yaa Gyasi

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

Winner of the NBCC's John Leonard First Book Prize

A New York Times 2016 Notable Book

One of Oprah’s 10 Favorite Books of 2016

NPR's Debut Novel of the Year

One of Buzzfeed's Best Fiction Books Of 2016

One of Time's Top 10 Novels of 2016

“Homegoing is an inspiration.” (Ta-Nehisi Coates)

The unforgettable New York Times best seller begins with the story of two half-sisters, separated by forces beyond their control: one sold into slavery, the other married to a British slaver. Written with tremendous sweep and power, Homegoing traces the generations of family who follow, as their destinies lead them through two continents and 300 years of history, each life indeliably drawn, as the legacy of slavery is fully revealed in light of the present day.

Effia and Esi are born into different villages in 18th-century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in the palatial rooms of Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle’s dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast’s booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery.

One thread of Homegoing follows Effia’s descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana, as the Fante and Asante nations wrestle with the slave trade and British colonization. The other thread follows Esi and her children into America. From the plantations of the South to the Civil War and the Great Migration, from the coal mines of Pratt City, Alabama, to the jazz clubs and dope houses of 20th-century Harlem, right up through the present day, Homegoing makes history visceral and captures, with singular and stunning immediacy, how the memory of captivity came to be inscribed in the soul of a nation.

Includes a PDF of the Family Tree

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 Yaa Gyasi (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Gyasi's characters are so fully realized, so elegantly carved - very often I found myself longing to hear more. Craft is essential given the task Gyasi sets for herself - drawing not just a lineage of two sisters, but two related peoples. Gyasi is deeply concerned with the sin of selling humans on Africans, not Europeans. But she does not scold. She does not excuse. And she does not romanticize. The black Americans she follows are not overly virtuous victims. Sin comes in all forms, from selling people to abandoning children. I think I needed to read a book like this to remember what is possible. I think I needed to remember what happens when you pair a gifted literary mind to an epic task. Homegoing is an inspiration." (Ta-Nehisi Coates, National Book Award-winning author of Between the World and Me)

"Homegoing is a remarkable feat - a novel at once epic and intimate, capturing the moral weight of history as it bears down on individual struggles, hopes, and fears. A tremendous debut." (Phil Klay, National Book Award-winning author of Redeployment)

Beautiful Story of Family and America's Great Shame

This was hard to listen to, but I loved each carefully crafted character. It helped me understand the current state of Blacks in America, how this nation got to this place. I wish all my conservative friends would read it, but I doubt they will. I recommend this to anyone, like Marjorie, who loves books that speak to your heart.

wow. just wow.

I have listened and read many, many books. This is, by far, one of my favorites. The story is perfection.

Beautiful Storytelling

I couldn't stop reading/listening to this novel! The storytelling and plot development are both, top notch. The perspectives of each chapter's characters was truly awe inspiring. This novel explored identity, affinity, the foundation of power and moral development. All of the book's lessons were centered in love and understanding. Magnificent storytelling!

OUTSTANDING BOOK!

If you could sum up Homegoing in three words, what would they be?

Thought provoking, entertaining, enjoyable!

What other book might you compare Homegoing to and why?

ROOTS

Which character – as performed by Dominic Hoffman – was your favorite?

Esi asara

Who was the most memorable character of Homegoing and why?

Crazy woman- or Akua was definitely the most memorable

Any additional comments?

Great book!

I’m glad this book exists. Black people should read this. So many stories here exploring various experiences as a person of African descent, the stories are woven together beautifully. I appreciate so much this author 💜

Should be required reading for everyone!

Loved it. I will think of this book for many years to come, I am sure.

Great Novel

I loved this novel. I do think each chapter could almost be a book itself... the characters all had more to offer!!!

Mesmerizing.

As a Ghana born Ghanaian American, this book touched every bit of my spirit. My family's story is represented here, but instead of the US, the other side was sold in the Caribbean. Hearing the tales of longing and suffering, hope and redemption, of the circle coming together brought me to tears many times. Life will take you on a journey and return you to where you need to be and that will be fulfilled by your progeny. So many beautifully west African concepts were represented in this narrative.

My only complaint is that the reader ruined the Twi and Fanti. His pronunciations of my native tongues were terrible...but overall he did a decent job narrating.

Absolutely Stunning

If you could sum up Homegoing in three words, what would they be?

Powerful, Heartbreaking, Beautiful

What other book might you compare Homegoing to and why?

Comparable to One Hundred Years of Solitude- one of my all time favorites

What does Dominic Hoffman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dominic Hoffman does a fantastic job giving these characters complexity and precise differentiation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have and still may listened to this book in one sitting. The stories are powerful and beautifully woven, with an ending that left me satisfied but not rolling my eyes. One of the best books I've read in years.

Beautiful story.

I loved this beautiful story. It makes me want to learn more of my history.